The Observations of Lernaeid Parasites of Cirrhinus Mrigala (Mori)

Author : Zahida Tasawara, Zeshan Siraja, Nazia Kanwala, Mushtaq H. Lasharia, Fariha Aziza

Abstract

One hundred and twenty fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) were examined for lernaeid ectoparasites at private fish farms. Lernaeid ectoparasites showed an overall prevalence of 25%. Four species of genus Lernaea i.e. L. cyprinacea, L. polymorpha, L. lophiara and L. oryzophila were recorded. The overall prevalence of L. cyprinacea, L. polymorpha, L. lophiara and L. oryzophila was 13.33, 9.16, 1.66 and 0.83% respectively. The relationship between body weight and lernaeid parasites showed that L. cyprinacea, L. polymorpha, L. lophiara and L. oryzophila had highest prevalence of 31.81, 18.18, 4.54 and 4.54% respectively in weight group of 1501-2000g. L. cyprinacea, L. polymorpha and L. lophiara had lowest prevelance 3.70, 4.34 and 2.08% in weight group of 1-500g, 501-1000g and 1001-1500g respectively. L. oryzophila showed nil prevalence in other weight groups. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The present results revealed that L. cyprinacea, L. polymorpha, L. lophiara and L. oryzophila had highest prevalence 17.5, 12.5, 2 and 1% respectively in length group of 18-22cm. L. cyprinacea showed lowest prevalence (3.2%) in length groups of 8-12cm. L. polymorpha had lowest prevalence (11.11%) in length groups of 13-17cm, whereas L. oryzophila and L. lophiara were not observed in other length groups. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Keyword: Cirrhinus mrigala, ectoparasites, Lernaea spp. body weight, body length, prevalence