International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 44 Organal Distribution and their Seasonal rate of Infestation in Glossogobius giurisSultana S Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, BANGLADESH Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 10th March 2015, revised 29th April 2015, accepted 6th May 2015 Abstract This study aimed to estimate the parasitic infestation of an indigenous freshwater fish, Glossogobius giuris collected from different wetlands of Savar Upazila during November, 2013 to June, 2014. A total of 80 host fishes were examined during the study period of which 38 fishes were found infected by numerous helminth parasites. In all 58 parasites belonging to ten species were recorded from the surveyed hosts. Among them four were monogenetic trematodes, four were digenetic trematodes and two species were acanthocephalans. The prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasitic infection was a bit higher in female fish than in male. The highest level of infection was observed for host intestine, while lower levels were observed for host body cavity. In particular, the results also revealed that the prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites of Glossogobius giuris varied with the season. Prevalence, intensity and abundance of the infestation were also found to be related to different length group of the hosts, the medium sized fishes (10.1-15.1) were more infested than the larger sized fishes (15.2-20.2) were less infested while the smaller sized fishes (5-10) showed medium infestation. Keywords:Glossogobius giuris, helminth, parasite, prevalence, intensity and abundance.Introduction Fish has a remarkable impact on the lives of many individuals and communities in almost all continents of the world, primarily as a major source of relatively cheap and affordable essential animal protein. Fish interacts with the various levels of food chain and influence the structures of lakes, streams and estuaries since, they are usually restricted to particular modes of life related to their food sources and reproductive requirements. Fish as the most feasible option in resolving protein shortage. Fish oil contains omega-3-essential fatty acids necessary for the proper functioning of the brain, heart, and immune system. The role of freshwater fish in transmitting parasites to humans had been known for a long time. Fish parasites and diseases remain some of the most important problems confronting the fishery biologist. Fish may serve as parentenic or definitive host of parasites that are harmful to man and animals. Zoonotic diseases that result from the ingestion of raw or under cooked fish include ophisthorchiasis, diphyllobothriasis, clonorchiasis, and anisakiasis. Diseases of freshwater fishes in Bangladesh are a severe threat to water bodies. Many of them (15%-20%) are associated with parasitic infestation. Parasites interfere with host nutrition, metabolism, and secretary functions of the alimentary canal, and can even damage the host nervous system. Health of any population depends on the control of disease and maintenance of a healthy relationship between living creatures and their environment. Intense parasite infection can also cause ulceration, and upset the normal course of reproduction8,9. A majority of freshwater fishes carry heavy infectious parasites which cause deterioration in the food value of fish and may even result in their mortality. Besides these are a number of helminthes parasites which are transmitted to human beings only through fish10. Fish diseases due to parasitic infestation, more specifically helminthes infestation is very important as it is known that they cause significant damage to their host. The helminthes parasites attack the host’s stomach, body cavity, muscles, liver, kidney and air bladder and the damage done to these organs lead to death11. The intensity of fish parasitic infection is greatly influenced by seasonality, which affects host ecology and physiology12. Bashirullah13, Ahmed14, Parveen and Rahman15 and recently Mofasshalin et al.16 provide some preliminary information about the parasite fauna of freshwater fishes in Bangladesh. Glossogobius giuris is one of the most popular freshwater fish in Bangladesh. It is considered to be one of the most important fish of Bangladesh because it is nutritious and delicious and it has high food value. It is commonly known as ‘Bele’ fish. Very little work has been done on the parasitic fauna of Glossogobius giuris in Bangladesh. Studies on parasites of fishes in Bangladesh particularly in the wetland of Savar region of Bangladesh are very recent and fragmentary. Considering the above, the present study was aimed to survey the parasites of an in indigenous freshwater fishGlossogobius giuris in Savar region. Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 45 Material and Methods Methods of sample collection: A total of 80 fishes were examined between November 2013 and June 2014, the fishes were purchased from fisherman, transferred into a plastic container with water and transported to the Fisheries Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Jahangirnagar for detailed investigation. Transportation was done in the morning to avoid undue stress due to temperature rise. Dead fishes were removed from the collections and examined immediately while the live ones were preserved in a plastic aquaria containing water from the reservoir, and examined subsequently as the investigation progresses. The fish was killed by cervical dislocation. The standard body length (from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle) were measured and recorded for each fish specimen in centimeters with the aid of a measuring board. The weight for each fish was obtained by using a Meter balance. Sexes were determined, the male possess a distinct sexual papilla that is conspicuously located behind the anus, the sexual papillae are absent in females17. Examination of host fishes and collection of parasites: At first, the external surface of the host body including scales, fins, skin, fin base etc. were examined under a magnifying glass for ectoparasites or any kind of lesions. Then scrapping of the skin was done by an unshaped scalpel to collect the mucus in a Petridis for microscopic examination. Next, gills were removed from the bronchial cavity and placed on a glass slide for microscopic examination. To investigate the body cavity and general viscera, the body of the host fish was cut open and examined. The parietal peritoneal lining of the body cavity, outer surface of the visceral organs and serous membranes were examined for encysted larva. The entire viscera was then removed from the body cavity and kept in physiological saline solution (0.75% NaCl solution). Considerable attention was given to the internal organs, viz., heart, air bladder, liver, gall bladder, spleen, urinary bladder, gonads and kidneys. After examination of the external surface, the organs were dissected to search out the internal parasites. Peritoneum and mesenteries were also observed for parasites. A drop of the residue was placed on the slide, and observed under ×10 and ×40 objectives of the light microscope for the various parasites; this was repeated until the entire residue has been examined. Recovery of parasites: Most of the parasites were easily identified by their wriggling movements, parasites found were counted, labeled with the serial number of the fish and placed in physiological saline overnight to allow them stretch and relax. Cestodes, Nematodes and Acanthocephalan parasites recovered were stained using the procedure of Khalil18. Identification of specimen to species level were undertaken and confirmed with the assistance of Oniye et al.19 who had earlier confirmed the identity of the parasites through the assistance of the British Museum (Natural history), United Kingdom. The terms prevalence, intensity and abundance were applied as defined by Margolis et al.20, while range refers to zero to maximum number of parasites retrieved from a fish host. Results and Discussion In figure-1, out of 80 specimens of Glossogobius giuris, the Prevalence of the worm was more in female fish than in male fish (figure-1). Of the total fishes examined 26 out of 47 females (55.32%) were found infected in comparison to 12 out of 33 (36.36%) males. The intensity of infestation was 1.61 in female fishes than in male fishes it was 1.33. The abundance of parasites was .89 in female fish than in male it was .48. In the present study, it was revealed that prevalence, intensity and abundance were highest in female fishes than in male (figure 1). Similar reports were also observed by Thomas21, Khanum and Parveen22 and Rahman and Saidin23. They concluded that this may be due to lower physiological resistance of female fishes. According to Dobson24 female fishes were more susceptible to parasite infection during breeding season. Figure-1 Variation in the Prevalence, intensity and abundance of helminth parasites in male and female fishes of G. giuris Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 46 Throughout the study period, a total of 80 specimens of G. giuris were examined, leading to the identification of ten different parasite species (Four monogenetic trematodes, four digenetic trematodes and two acanthocephalans). In table 1 the endoparasites were found mainly in the intestine and gills of the host fish. Four species of monogenetic trematode, Dactylogyrus cirrhini, Dactylogyrus glossogobii, Glossodactylogyrus bangladeshi (Saha, Chandra and Ghosh, 2003), Neodactylogyrus chandrai (Saha, Chandra and Ghosh, 2003) were collected from the gills (table-1). The two digenetic trematodes Allocreadium sp. and Genarchopsis sp. were identified only to genus level because of their complex taxonomic features and they were collected from intestine. Another two digenetic trematodes, one collected from intestine and stomach was Allocreadium glossogobium and another collected from intestine was Allocredium handiai. The two acanthocephalans Pallisentis nandai was found in the intestine and Pallisenties goboes was found in the intestine and body cavity. Bashirullah25 first time reported that Pallisentis nandai from N. nandus. Rahman and Ali26 described Pallisentis nandaifrom the stomach and intestine of Nandus nandus. Pallisentis gaboes was found in the Channa striata, Clarius batrachus which was recorded by Ahmed and Begum27 and in my present study I found this parasitic fauna from G. giuris. Allocreadium handiai was found in Channa punctatus, Mystus cavasius which was recorded by Banerjee and Chandra28. But it was found in Glossogobius giuris from my study. Table-1 Organ-wise distribution of parasites observed in Glossogobius giuris (n=80) Type of Parasites Name of Parasites Infected organ Trematode (Monogenetic) Dactylogyrus cirrhini Gill Dactylogyrus glossogobi Gill Glossodactylogyrus bangladeshiGill Neodactylogyrus chandrai Gill Trematode (digenetic) Allocreadium glossogobiumStomach, intestine Allocredium handiai Intestine Allocredium sp. Intestine Genarchopsis dasusStomach, intestine. Acanthocephala Pallisentis nandai Intestine Pallisentis gaboes Body cavity, intestine Figure-2 Variation in the prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites in different organs of G. giuris Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 47 Organ-wise fluctuation in the prevalence, abundance and intensity of total parasites is reported in figure-2. Intestinal parasites had the highest prevalence (30%) and abundance (.44), while parasite of body cavity had the lowest prevalence (1.25%) and abundance (.01). Gill parasites had high prevalence too (10%) and abundance (.175). Khanum et al.29 also observed the maximum helminth infestation from intestine. Present findings are in conformity with Khatun30 who concluded that host intestine is the most preferred site for helminth infestation. Sarma31 also found the similar results during his study in three murrel host species. Rahman and Parween32 and Alam et al., 33also observed similar parasitic infestations in different freshwater fish species in Bangladesh. Seasonal fluctuations in the overall prevalence, abundance and intensity of total parasites are shown in figure 3. The highest parasitic prevalence (16.25%) was observed in December, while the lowest was observed both in April and May (1.25%). Secondary peaks of prevalence (13.75%) were observed in January. The overall highest mean abundance value was .312 (recorded in December), while the lowest was .01 (recorded in April-June). A second peak of .187 was recorded in January. The highest parasitic intensity (1.92) was observed in December, while the lowest (1.0) was observed in (March to May). The intensity of parasites in different organs of Glossogobius giuris varied with the season, being higher during winter(November-February). Winter had already been identified as a period of high susceptibility of fish to parasites34-36. Fluctuation of prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites in different length group of G. giuris are shown in figure 4. The highest prevalence of parasite (62.85%) was recorded from 35 fish samples belonging to the medium length group (10.1-15.1cm) and the lowest (32%) from 25 fish samples belonging to the smaller length group (5-10cm). The prevalence of parasites in the larger length group (15.2-20.2cm) was 40% (figure-4). The highest intensity of parasites (1.75) was observed in the larger length group and the lowest (1.45) in the medium length group while that of the smaller length group was 1.5, which is closed to the lower value. The abundance value ranged from .48 to .7, the highest value was recorded from the larger length group while the lowest from the smaller length group (figure-4). It was observed that among the different size groups of fishes, the maximum infestation were recorded from the medium length group than the smaller and larger length group of fishes. The rate of infestation was more smaller length group than larger, but prevalence of infestation in the medium group was more than smaller group. The present finding agrees with those of Golder et al., 37. Figure-3 Seasonal fluctuation in the prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites in G. giuris Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 48 Figure-4 Length-wise variation in the prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites in G. giurisConclusion The present study describes the prevalence, abundance and intensity of parasitic infestation in different length of Glossogobius giuris. During the study period we identified ten parasite species. The highest peak of parasite abundance and prevalence was recorded in December, while the lowest were recorded in April and May. This might be due to their feeding preference, stocking density, water depth and temperature along with other physico-chemical parameters and management practices. However, more in-depth research is needed to explore the parasitic infestation of G.giuris. The authors hope that this study will promote further parasitological research on G, giurisand other common freshwater fish in Bangladesh. References 1.Ashade O.O., Osineye O.M. and Kumoye E.A., Isolation, identification and prevalence of parasites on Oreochromis niloticus from three selected River systems, J. Fish. Aqua. Sci.,8, 115-121 (2013)2.Hohn S., Essential fatty acid, http://www. nutrition's supplement.com/s:-fatty-acid.htm, Accessed June, (2013)3.Ravichandran S., Balasubramanin T. and Kannupandi, T. Incidence of parasitic isopods on the fish Sphyraena obtusata.,Res. J. Parasitol.,2(1), 45-50 (2007)4.Ko RC, Fish-borne parasitic zoonoses, In: P.T.K. Woo (Ed.) Fish diseases and Disorders, 1, Protozoan and Metazoan infections. Cambridge, CAB International, 808 (2007)5.Chowdhury A.K., Helminth parasite infestation and histopathological changes in snakehead fishes, M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka (1992)6.Markov G.S., Physiology of fish parasites, In: Parasitology of fishes (V.A. Dogiel, G.K. Petrushevesky and Polyansky eds.) English traslation by Z. Kobata, Oliver and Boyd, Edinberg and London, 117-139 (1961)7.Snieszko S.F., Diseases of fishes: Research and Control, Fisheries,, 20-22 (1983) 8.Rahman M.R. and Jahan M.S., Consequences of larval helminth infecting freshwater gastropods, Bangladesh J. Zool.,30(2), 101-114 (2002)9.Rahman M.R. and Jahan M.S., Larval trematode parasites of freshwater gastropods, Bangladesh J. Zool., 33(1), 13-34 (2005)10.Gupta S.P., Trematode parasites of freshwater fishes. Indian J. of helminthol.,5, 1-8 (1953)11.Cheng T. C., General Parasitology. Academic press, London, (1973) 12.Rahman M.R., Akter M.A. and Hossain M.D., Parasitic diseases of exotic carp in Bangladesh, J. Agri. Rural Dev., 5(1&2), 127-134 (2007)13.Bashirullah A.K.M., A brief survey of the helminth fauna of certain marine and freshwater fishes of Banglade sh. Bangladesh J. Zool.,1, 63-81 (1973)14.Ahmed A.T.A., Helminth infection in freshwater fishes Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(5), 44-49, May (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 49 of Bangladesh, Fish Pathol.,15(3-4), 229-236 (1981) 15.Parveen S. and Rahman M.R., Distribution of helminth parasites in different organs and their monthly rate of infection in three freshwater fishes of Rajshahi, Univ.J.Zool. Rajshahi Univ., 19, 67-72 (2000)16.Mofasshalin M.S., Bashar M.A., Alam M.M., Alam G.M., Moumita D., Mazlan A.G. and Simon K.D., Parasites of three Indian minor carps of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Asian J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 7(7), 631-620 2012)17.Akinsanya B. and Otubanjo O.A., Helminth Parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria, Revista de Biologia Tropical,54(1), 93-99 (2006)18.Khalil L.F., Techniques for identification and investigative helminthology, Helminthology manual, (International Institute of Parasitology, St. Albans, UK, 156 (1991)19.Oniye S.J., Adebote D.A. and Ayanda O.I., Helminthes parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Tuegels) in Zaria, Nig. Journal of Aquatics,19(2), 71 -75 (2004)20.Margolsis L., Esch G.W., Holmes J.C., Kuris A.M. and Scad G.A., The use of ecological terms in parasitology, (Report of an Ad-hoc committee of the American Society of Parasitology), J. Parasitol.68(1), 131-133 (1982) 21.Thomas J.D., A comparison between the helminth burden of male and female brown trout Salmo trutta L. from a natural population in the river Teify, West Wales Parasitology,4, 263-272 (1964)22.Khanum H and Parveen S., Organal distribution and seasonal prevalence of endoparasites in Macrognathus aculeatus Smith and Macrognathus armatus Day, Bangladesh J. Zool.,25(1), 15-21 (1997) 23.Rahman W.A. and Saidin H., Relationship between sex and parasite intensity in four freshwater fish species from Tasik Merah, Perak, Penisular Malaysia, World. J. Zoology, 6(4), 370-374 (2011)24.DobsonC., Certain aspects of the host parasites relation of nematode Spirudaedubius (Buylis), I. resistance of male and female mice to experiment infection, Parasitol., 51, 173-179 (1961) 25.Bashirullah A.K.M., A brief survey of the helminth fauna of certain marine and freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh, Bangladesh J. Zool.,1(1), 63-81 (1973)26.Rahman, A.K.A. and Ali, M.Y. The incidence of nematode, Procamallanus heteropneustus in the stomach of Heteropneustes fossilis, Pakistan J. Sci. Indust. Res., 11, 112-113 (1968)27.Ahmed, A.T.A. and Begum, R. Studies on the distribution of some endoparasitic helminthes in six freshwater fishes of Dacca and Barisal, Bangladesh J Aquaculture.1, 52-60 (1978)28.Banerjii, M. and Chandra, K.J. Digenetic trematodes from freshwater fishes of Mymensingh, Bangladesh Family Allocreadiidae, Riv. Di. Parasitol., 53, 361-371(1992) 29.Khanum, H., Bugum, N. and Begum, A. Seasonal Prevalence, Intensity and Organal distribution of Helminth Parasites in Macrognathus aculeatus, Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci., 20(2), 117-122 (2011) 30.Khatun F.A., Metazoan Parasites of some freshwater fishes of Comilla, Bangladesh, M.Sc. Thesis. Dept. of Zool. Chittagong University, 162 (1995)31.Sarma K., Seasonal incidence of Helminth Parasite of three selected Murrel Fish Species of Assam, A thesis submitted to Gouhati University for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology in Faculty of Science, 136-137(2012)32.Rahman M.R. and Parween S., Parasites infestation in relation to length Heteropneustes fossilis, Channa punctatus and Colisa fascitatus, Univ. J. Zool. Rajshahi Univ., 20, 53-56 (200133.Alam M.M., Rahman M.R., Huq K.A. and Parveen S. Intensity of helminth parasitic infestation in three freshwater fish species of Rajshahi, South Asian J. Agric., Agrotechnol. Discipl., 1(1), 1-3 (2006)34.Rahman, M.R, Akter, M.A, Hossain, M.D. Parasitic diseases of exotic carp in Bangladesh, J Agric Rural Dev., 5(1 and 2), 127–134 (2007)35.Farhaduzzaman A.M., Alam M.M., Hossain M., Hussain M.A. and Rahman M.H., Prevalence of parasites in the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Univ J Zool Rajshahi Univ.,28, 65–68 (2010)36.Mofasshalin M.S., Bashar M.A., Alam M.M., Alam G.M., Moumita D., Mazlan A.G. and Simon K.D., Parasites of three Indian minor carps of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Asian J Anim Vet Adv., 7(7), 613–620 (2012) doi: 10.3923/ajava.2012.613.620. 37.Golder M.I., Chandra K.J. and Rahman A.K.A., Helminth Parasitism in Nandus nandus (Hamilton), Bangladesh J. Fish,10, 11-22 (1987)