Population dynamics of Piscicola geometra (Hirudinea: Rhynchobdellida) on Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae) cultured in a rainforest fish pond, south eastern Nigeria.
The distribution, abundance and intensity of the annelid worm, Piscicola geometra(leeches) infecting Oreochromis niloticus cultured in a rainforest fish pond, South Eastern Nigeria was studied over a 12 months period. Three hundred fish were examined of which 48.3% were infected. Infection occurred throughout the year, with a peak in February. Female fish had a significantly higher intensity of infection(P < 0.05) than males. There was a clear seasonal periodicity in the degree of infection and the distribution of the parasite exhibited an aggregated or contagious model of dispersion. There was a significant positive correlation between the size of the fish and worm burden.
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Department of Zoology, University of Uyo, Nigeria. uniuyo@skannet.com
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D023681:Cichlids / Q000469:parasitology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D007865:Leeches / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons