IR Home
DAO
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
ESR
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
IR Research
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
DAO 63:185-195 (2005)
|
Abstract
|
Anguillicola papernai (Nematoda: Anguillicolidae) and other helminths parasitizing the African longfin eel Anguilla mossambica
H. Taraschewski1,*, J. Boomker2, K. Knopf3, F. Moravec4
1Universität Karlsruhe, Zoologisches Institut – Ökologie/Parasitologie, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
2Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110
Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa
3Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
4Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovská 31, 37005
Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic
*Email: dc20@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
ABSTRACT: The swim bladder nematode Anguillicola papernai Moravec & Taraschewski, 1988 has been investigated as regards its occurrence in longfin eels Anguilla mossambica (Peters) in rivers in South Africa. A. papernai
revealed a prevalence of around 50% and a mean intensity of about 6 adult worms at 1 sampling site but were less abundant in 3 others. Field observations suggest a more narrow habitat preference than that of Anguillicola crassus and a seasonal
pattern of abundance. African longfin eels harboured a poor helminth community. In addition to A. papernai, 2 gastro-intestinal nematodes occurred, the stomach worm Heliconema longissimum Ortlepp, 1923 as the dominant species, and the
intestinal Paraquimperia africana Moravec, Boomker & Taraschewski, 2000. Experiments were undertaken using European eels Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus) and copepods as laboratory hosts. The morphology of larvae and adult parasites obtained
from these experimental hosts is described. The ultrastructure of adult worms recovered from wild longfin eels was studied. The ‘papilla-like excrescences of fibrous structure’ on the adult worms’ cuticle, as mentioned in the original
description, are in fact the attachment points of thick cords of fibers interconnecting the epicuticle with the hypodermis. Such a structure has not yet been described from any other species of Anguillicola Yamaguti, 1935. At present in South
Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar attempts are on the way to establish an eel management like in Asia and Europe including eel farming. In this context, care should be taken to prevent the introduction of non-endemic eel parasites into Africa and
Madagascar. On the other hand, the future commercial management of African eel species should not lead to the spread of A. papernai or other parasites of African eel species to Europe or elsewhere. In this study A. papernai has been
experimentally demonstrated to be capable of reproducing in the European eel and of using European copepods as intermediate hosts.
KEY WORDS: Anguilla mossambica · Eel · Anguillicola papernai · Swim bladder · Copepods · Life cycle · Morphology · Ultrastructure · Eel culture
Full text in pdf format
Published in DAO Vol.
63, No. 2-3
(2005) on February 28
Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2005
|
