SOME STUDIES ON MONOGENIASIS AND ITS RELATION TO SOME HEAVY METALS LEVELS IN SCOBEROMORUS COMMERSON FROM RED SEA
Heba I. Abdel-Mawla* and
Naglaa I.I. Shalaby**
* Fish Diseases Department, Ismailia branch, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt.
** Limnology Department, Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research El-Abbassa, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt.
| Received 27/ 11/ 2014 |
Accepted 2/ 12/ 2014 |
Abstract
A total number of 100 marine fish (Scoberomorus commerson) were randomly collected from the Red Sea to investigate the total and seasonal prevalence of monogeniasis. The infected fish revealed emaciation and bulging operculum with surface breathing in monogenean infestations. The gills of infected fish were congested and/or pale, slight marbling with excusive mucous secretions due to parasitic infestation on gill filaments. Two monogenean species were detected from the gills, Pricea multae and Neothoracocotyle commersoni. The average infestation rate was 80%, where the highest infestation rate was recorded in summer (92%) while the lowest was during winter (68%). Residues of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium, (Cd) and lead (Pb) were detected in water, monogenean parasite and infected or non infected organs (livers, gills, and muscles) of Scoberomorus commerson. The obtained results revealed that all investigated metals in water were lower than the permissible limits. Average Fe, Zn and Cu residues in the non infected organs were significantly (P<0.05) lower than its residues in the non infected organs. Monogenean parasites accumulated the highest values of Fe, Zn and Cu compared to the other investigated organs, while there were no any Cd or Pb were detected. The present study indicated that the monogenean parasites are able to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues higher than host tissues and considered as an indicator for heavy metals pollution besides being a competitor to fish organs for heavy metals accumulation.
