title: Helminth parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: A total of 360 randomly selected specimens of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) recovered from Lekki Lagoon were examined for intestinal helminth parasites. Parasite prevalence and worm burden were low; 17 (4.72%) of the specimens examined were infected with gastrointestinal helminths. The helminth worms recovered include, three cestodes Polyonchobothrium clarias, Stocksia pujehuni and Wenyonia acuminata and a nematode, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection of the male and female Clarias gariepinus; the infection rates in male and female samples were 5.75% and 3.76% respectively. Parasite prevalence was related to the length and weight of the specimens. The fish samples were observed to show negative allometric growth and smaller samples recorded higher helminth infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Parasitology Unit, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. akinbami2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akinsanya
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Otubanjo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002397:Catfishes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006376:Helminths / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence