Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

Examination of 150 fish samples belonging to three families were collected from Mediterranean sea, Egypt and examined for larval Trypanorhynch Cestode infection from September 2011 till February 2012. Sixty three (42%) of the investigated fish were parasitized with different metacestode species belonging to Lacistorhynchidae and Tentaculariidae . All Trypanorhynch species were isolated from the muscles and abdominal cavities. The detected Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Pintner, 1931) showed the highest prevalence (30%) and maximum intensity (37). Results revealed that, 46%; 44% and 36% of the examined fish species Epinephelus gigas ; Sciaena umbra and Scomber scomber were infected respectively and were considered as new hosts records for the detected parasites. The collected C. gracilis and its host muscles ( Epinephelus gigas ) were analyzed for some heavy metals( Cu, Pb, and Cd) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the results indicated a significance higher concentration of the heavy metals in the parasite compared with its fish host. The present study has concluded for the 1st time that; the Trypanorhynch metacestode C. gracilis could be used as bioindicator of aquatic heavy metal pollution and adds further evidence to the usefulness of parasites in monitoring environmental impacts.

Biography

Nisreen. E. Mahmoud has completed her Ph.D. in 1994. She is a professor of Parasitology in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Cairo University - Egypt. She is a leading specialist of fish parasites. Her scientific interests include problems related to parasitic diseases and pollution in fresh water and marine aquacultures. She is an active participant of the international scientific conferences and symposiums. She has published more than 38 papers in reputed journals. Also a member of: Egyptian Society of Environment and Aquatic Animal Health, The Zoological Society A.R.E., The Fish Committee of the General Organization for Veterinary Services, Egypt, The Fish Committee for the solution of Lake Naser fish helminthes problems, Egypt, The Egyptian Society of Veterinary Parasitology