Spatial distribution of parasites along the gut of the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Clariidae) from the Mwanza gulf, Lake Victoria

Abstract

The diversity, abundance and spatial distribution of parasites in the alimentary tract of Clarias gariepinus from the Mwanza Gulf were investigated. Ten parasite species were recovered; the Trematoda, Cestoda and Nematoda were each represented by three species while Dolops ranarum was the only crustacean recovered from the posterior part of the buccal cavity. Parasites diversity was highest in the small intestine and the stomach. Although the gut community of C. gariepinus studied was rich in intensity and individual numbers of helminth species, helminth infection in most sections of the gut comprised of monospecific infection and thus cohabiting interspecific interaction was not evident. Differences in physicochemical environment in the gut, availability, nature and amount of food supply are factors that most likely limit the distribution of parasites in different sections of the alimentary tract.