Evidence of host blood feeding by the monogenean, Ancyrocephalus mogurndae (Monogenea : Ancyrocephalidae) from the gills of the mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi

By examining iron contents, it is demonstrated that the monogenean Ancyrocephalus mogurndae (Yamaguti, 1940) feeds on the blood of its host, the mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky). The iron content and then the quantity of blood necessary to produce this amount of iron are found different in young and fully-matured worms. Young worms contain higher levels of iron and estimated amount of blood. It is suggested that A. mogurndae may start to feed on host blood as attached on gills, and the amount of blood ingested by young worms may vary from 0.01 to 1.00 mu l before reproduction. The difference between young and fully-matured worms may be accounted for by the elimination of haematin and change of food composition in matured worms and may also be affected by reproduction. Experimental infections of the monogenean may provide supportive information for explaining the difference, and further studies should also examine the effect of immune components in host blood ol mucus on the intestines of the parasite.

Co-occurrence and microhabitat of Ancyrocephalus mogurndae (Monogenea) and Henneguya weishanensis (Myxosporea) on gills of the mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi

Seasonal variations in a population of the monogenean Ancyrocephalus mogurndae Gussev, 1955 were investigated on gills of cage-cultured mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky), during the period from April 1994 to April 1995. The abundance of A. mogurndae peaked in late spring and summer. Prevalence was high (75-100 %) throughout the study period, and did not vary significantly between months. More than 50 % of all monogeneans were found on the first and second gill arches, except one occasion when the fourth gill arch had the majority in April 1995. The niche breadths were significantly correlated with the population abundance. A coexistent parasitic myxosporean, Henneguya weishanensis Hu, 1965, on the gills of the fish was found to have little influence on the gill-arch preference of the monogenean, although the monogenean abundance was higher in those fish infected with the myxosporean.

Haliotrema (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalinae) from Ostraciid Fishes in Guadeloupe, West Indies

Six sympatric species of Haliotrema Johnston and Tiegs, 1922 are described from ostraciid fishes in Guadeloupe, West Indies. All have a basic cone-shaped cirrus, but characteristics of that and other terminal genitalia plus those of anchors can differentiate them: H. guadeloupensis sp. n. from Lactophrys triqueter (typehost) and L. bicaudalis; H. torridum sp. n. from L. triqueter (type-host) and Acanthostracion polygonius; H. glandulosum sp. n. from L. triqueter (type-host) and L. bicaudalis; H. minutum sp. n. from A. polygonius; H. lactophrys (MacCallum, 1915) comb. n. from A. polygonius and A. quadricornis which is transferred from the genus Ancyrocephalus Creplin, 1839; and H. kritskyi nom. nov. from A. polygonius. The latter has been given a replacement name for Parahaliotrema brevis. Mizelle and Kritsky, 1969 which would become a junior homonym because it, H. affinis (Mizelle and Kritsky, 1969) comb. n., H. cornutus (M. and K.) comb. n., H. grandis (M. and K.) comb. n., H. pacificus (M. and K.) comb. n., and H. zebrasoma (M. and K.) comb. n. are all transferred from the genus Parahaliotrema Mizelle and Price, 1964. We follow others in considering that genus to be a junior synonym of Haliotrema. We also determined that at least Ancyrocephalus parupenei Yamaguti, 1968 and A. pauu Yamaguti, 1968 do not belong in Ancyrocephalus. However, investigation of H. australe Johnston and Tiegs, 1922 and other species should precede transferring those species to another genus.

Summary study of gill ectoparasite infections and their histopathologic effects in four species of freshwater ornamental fishes

Ornamental fish are more expensive in comparison with the other fish. It especially highlights in non-breeding fish (in imported one for importation costs). But of course, with entering the new and unhealthy fishes to aquarium or ponds, they may transmit a pathogen to others (interfere with Iran ornamental fish parasitic fauna). In this study (Dec. 2008- Sep. 2009), 400 fish gill arch from 4 species of ornamental fish (within focus on imported fish); namely, i.e. Goldfish (Carassius auratus), platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), Dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia) and Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) were inspected for gill ectoparasites and then pathologic effects (but in high- affected gill). In this study, seven protozoan and ten metazoan species, indeed seventeen parasite species were identified. Protozan parasites consist of: Trichodina spp. and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis were found in four fish species; Ichthyobodo necatrix (Costia necator/C. necatrix) and Cryptobia branchialis, were respectively found in Dwarf gourami and goldfish. The highest prevalence belongs to Ichthyophthirius (47%) in platyfish. Metazoan parasites consist of: Ancyrocephalus sp. (Dwarf gourami), Ancylodiscoides spp. (catfish and platyfish), Dactylogyrus vastator, D. baueri, D. formosus (only in goldfish) and Gyrodactylus spp. (in four fish species). The highest prevalence was related to Dactylogyrus vastator(82%) in goldfish. Histological effects in case with high prevalence of parasite were also observed, e.g., hypertrophy, Lamellar hyperplasia and fusion. In high-parasitized gill, there is dysfunction of gill.