title: Acanthocephalan Parasites (Acanthogyrus sp.) of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as Biosink of Lead (Pb) Contamination in a Philippine Freshwater Lake.
abstract: The potential use of acanthocephalans as bioindicators of Lead (Pb) pollution in Sampaloc Lake, Laguna, Philippines was investigated. Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected and Pb concentrations were determined in fish tissues and in their acanthocephalan parasites, Acanthogyrus sp. Significantly higher levels of Pb were detected in the parasites relative to the fish host tissues (p = 0.001). Bioaccumulation capacity of the parasites against fish tissues were 102, 119, and 147 times higher than the fish intestine, liver, and muscles, respectively. Pb sensitivity of the parasites was quantified by exact logistic analysis showing higher odds of Pb detection ranging from 18 to 45 folds (p = 0.001-0.009). Interestingly, infected fish showed significantly lower Pb concentration in their tissues compared to uninfected fish (p = 0.001), suggesting parasites were able to sequester Pb and served as active biosinks. The Pb levels in the parasites were also hundred folds higher (988 times) relative to the ambient waters, indicating a potential role of fish parasites as metal biosinks in aquatic ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Research Laboratory, Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Laguna, Philippines. vvpaller@up.edu.ph.
authors.forename: Vachel Gay V
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Paller
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Research Laboratory, Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Laguna, Philippines.
authors.forename: Dan Jacob B
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Resurreccion
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Research Laboratory, Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Laguna, Philippines.
authors.forename: Christian Paul P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: de la Cruz
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Research Laboratory, Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Laguna, Philippines.
authors.forename: Modesto Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Bandal
mesh_terms: D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D023681:Cichlids / Q000469:parasitology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D010679:Philippines; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead
keywords: Acanthocephala; Acanthogyrus; Heavy metal; Lead; Philippines; Sampaloc Lake