39-47 39 F.T. Mhaisen et al. Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. ( 2003 ) 10 (1) : 39-47 OCCURRENCE OF SOME FISH PARASITES IN AL-MADAEN DRAINAGE NETWORK, SOUTH OF BAGHDAD Furhan T. Mhaisen*, Ghassan H. Al-Khateeb, Abbas N. Balasem, Sadik M. J. Al-Shaikh**, Jawdat M. Al-Jawda and Najah R. Mohammad-Ali Ministry of Science and Technology, Al-Jadereah, Baghdad, Iraq * Dept. Biol., Coll. Educ. (Ibn Al-Haitham), Univ. Baghdad, Iraq ** Dept. Fish & Poult. Dis., Coll. Vet. Med., Univ. Baghdad, Iraq ABSTRACT Seven fish species were collected from the drainage network at Al-Madaen region, south of Baghdad with the aid of a cast net during the period from March to August 1993. These fishes were infected with 22 parasite species (seven sporozoans, three ciliated protozoans, seven monogeneans, two nematodes, one acanthocephalan and two crustaceans) and one fungus species. Among such parasites, Chloromyxum wardi and Cystidicola sp. are reported here for the first time in Iraq. In addition, 11 new host records are added to the list of parasites of fishes of Iraq. INTRODUCTION Many small-sized private sector fish farms are scattered in the area of Al-Madaen, south of Baghdad. Also, fields of crops, cattle and poultry farms as well as some food processing pilots and allied factories are distributed there. Water inflow comes either from Tigris river or the lower reaches of Diyala river. Through practicing field trips to some of the fish farms at Al-Madaen area, many wild fishes (notably Liza abu) were noticed in such farms. Also, many fish specimens were found in the nearby drainage network. Due to some administrative faults, escape of cultured fishes with the outlet water and entrance of some wild fishes through the inlet or even outlet water may occur especially with the absence of reliable fine-meshed screens at the inlets and outlets of such farms (Mhaisen, 1996). Such events result in parasite exchange which may affect health of cultured fishes (Mhaisen, 1993). Only three works were done on the parasitic fauna of fishes found in the Main Drainage system of mid Iraq (Balasem et al., 2002a, b; Asmar et al., 2003). As no previous account was available on the parasitic fauna of fishes in the drainage network of Al-Madaen region except few remarks given by Asmar et al. (2003), the present study was conducted to gain basic information on this topic due to its importance in the control of fish parasites on one side and human health on the other side as more people are often seen fishing in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the period from March to August 1993, fish specimens were collected from the drainage network system at Al-Madaen, south of Baghdad. Cast nets of different mesh sizes were used to capture these fishes. 40 Occurrence of some fish parasites Fishes were transported alive to the laboratory where they were examined for parasites. Skin and gill smears, eye lenses, body cavity, musculature and all internal organs were examined according to Amlacher (1970). The index-catalogue of parasites and disease agents of fishes of Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003 in press)was followed to indicate number of previous host records for each parasite in order to minimize number of references for each parasite species. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 75 fish specimens belonging to seven fish species were collected from the sampling area of Al-Madaen drainage network. These fishes included one Alburnus caeruleus, one Barbus grypus, eight B. luteus, one Carassius carassius, one Chondrostoma regium, two Cyprinus carpio and 61 Liza abu. Twenty-two parasite species and one fungus were recorded from these fishes. The following is a brief account on the occurrence of these parasites and fungus which are arranged here according to their major classification groups (Table 1). Protozoa- Sporozoa Seven sporozoans belonging to three genera (Chloromyxum, Myxidium and Myxobolus) were recorded in the present study. Chloromyxum wardi (Fig. 1): Chloromyxum wardi of the present investigation was recorded from kidneys of two L. abu. This is the first report on Chloromyxum from fishes of Iraq. So, the followings are some details on its description. Sphaerosporidae. Spores spherical with somewhat narrow anterior pole. Suture line projects in form of wall. Spore valves with ridges. Four pyriform polar capsules present at apex of spore. The present specimens are much identical with C. wardi Kudo, 1919 as explained by Shul'man (1966) who gave the following measurements for C. wardi. Vegetative form (plasmodium) 18- 38 micrometer. Spore diameter 7.5-10.5 micrometer, larger polar capsules 4- 5.2 x 3.6 micrometer and smaller polar capsules 3- 4 x 3.2 micrometer. According to Hoffman (1998), a total of 17 Chloromyxum species are known in freshwater fishes of North America. Shul'man (1966) reported 31 Chloromyxum species from the former Soviet Union. Chloromyxum parasites are coelozoic (rarely histozoic) in freshwater and marine fishes and exceptionally in amphibians (Hoffman, 1998). Myxidium pfeifferi was detected from the gall bladder of one B. luteus in the present study. This fish is considered now as the third host for M. pfeifferi in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003 in press). Myxobolus dispar of the present investigation was recorded from the spleen of one B. luteus and kidneys of one L. abu. Now, B. luteus represents the twelfth host record for M. dispar in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003 in press). Three reports (Al-Nasiri, 2000; Balasem et al., 2002b; Asmar et al., 2003) were documented before the publication of the present study. Myxobolus dogieli was recorded from the gills of one L. abu of the present study. It has eight hosts in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003 in press) inclusive of L. abu which was known as the first host for M. dogieli in Iraq (Abdul-Ameer, 1989). Myxobolus nemachili was recorded from the kidneys of one B. luteus of the present study. B. luteus now adds a new host for the previous seven hosts in Iraq for this parasite (Mhaisen, Myxobolus oviformis of the present investigation was recorded from different organs of three fish species (Table 1) including C. carassius as a new host to be added to the previous 19 host species in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003 in press). However, later reports on the occurrence of M. oviformis from C. carassius (Abdul-Rahman, 1999; Mohammad-Ali et al., 1999) were published before the present paper. 41 F.T. Mhaisen et al. Myxobolus pfeifferi was found in different organs of three B. luteus and six L. abu (Table 1). This parasite is very common in freshwater fishes of Iraq as its host list consists of 33 species (Mhaisen, 2003, in press) including the two species of the present study. Protozoa- Ciliata Three species of ciliates belonging to three genera (Chilodonella, Ichthyophthirius and Trichodina) were recorded in the present study. Chilodonella cyprini of the present investigation was recorded from the gills of two L. abu. This parasite was reported earlier from this fish from Diyala river (Al-Shaikh et al., 1995). So far it has six hosts in Iraq inclusive of L. abu of the present study (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). Ichthyophthirius multifiliis of the present study was recorded from the gills of one L. abu. Its first report from this fish was from Mosul (Fattohy, 1975). So far, it has 23 fish hosts in Iraq inclusive of the present host (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). It is a dangerous parasite as it causes the white spot disease (Duijn, 1973). Trichodina domerguei was recorded in the present study from the skin and gills of two B. luteus as well as from the gills of one C. carassius, two C. carpio and two L. abu. Among these fish species, C. carassius now represents a new host for T. domerguei to be added to the previous 27 hosts in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). However, later reports on the occurrence of T. domerguei from C. carassius (Mhaisen et al., 1999; Mohammad-Ali et al., 1999; Salih et al., 2000; Asmar et al., 2003, in press) were published before the present article. Trematoda Seven trematode species were recorded in the present study (Table 1). These included five monogeneans (Dactylogyrus vastator, Diplozoon kasimii, Discocotyle sagittata, Gyrodactylus elegans and Microcotyle donavini) and two digeneans (Ascocotyle coleostoma and Diplostomum sp.). D. vastator of the present study was recorded from the gills of five B. luteus, one C. carassius and one C. carpio (Table 1). C. carassius is considered now as host number 29 for this parasite in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). However, Abdul-Rahman (1999) and Mohammad-Ali et al. (1999) recorded this parasite from C. carassius before the publication of the present investigation. The twin fluke, Diplozoon kasimii, was recorded on the gills of A. caeruleus. This fish now represents a new host for D. kasimii to be added to Occurrence of some fish parasites the previous 11 host species (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). It is necessary to mention here that Asmar et al. (2003) reported D. kasimii from A. caeruleus before the publication of the present paper. The polyopisthocotyle Discocotyle sagittata was recorded on the gills of 16 L. abu of the present study. This represents its first occurrence in Iraq. A detailed account on occurrence of this parasite as well as four other monogeneans was given before the publication of this paper by Mhaisen et al (2003, in press). Gyrodactylus elegans of the present article was recorded on the gills of one C. carassius, two C. carpio and skin and gills of seven L. abu. Previously, this parasite was reported from 20 fish host species in Iraq exclusive of C. carassius (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). So, C. carassius now represents a new host for this parasite in Iraq. Microcotyle donavini was recorded from the gills of two L. abu of the present study. Previously, this parasite was reported from ten host species including L. abu from fish farms and inland waters in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). Metacercariae of the digenetic trematode Ascocotyle coleostoma were found on the skin and gills of two L. abu of the present study. A total of 23 fish host species are so far known 42 Occurrence of some fish parasites for this parasite in Iraq including L. abu (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). Adults of this parasite infect some wild aquatic birds (Hoffman, 1998). Metacercariae of the digenetic trematode Diplostomum sp. were found in the eye lenses of one fish each of three species (A. caeruleus, B. luteus and C. carpio). Mhaisen (2003, in press) gave a detailed account on the occurrence of Diplostomum spp. in freshwater fishes of Iraq. He showed that 28 fish host species are known for seven species of Diplostomum as well as 17 fish host species for unidentified species of this genus. Adults of Diplostomum are known in some piscivorous aquatic birds in some inland waters of Iraq (Mhaisen et al., 1990; Al-Awadi, 1997). Nemathelminthes Two phasmid nematodes were recorded during the present study (Table 1). Cucullanus pseudeutropi was recorded from the intestine of one L. abu which represents a new host record to be added to the two previous host records of this parasite in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). The other spirurid phasmid nematode (Cystidicola sp.) was found in the intestine of one L. abu. This is the first occurrence of Cystidicola in fishes of Iraq. Therefore, a detailed account will be given here to cover its description. Cystidicola sp. (Fig. 2): Cystidicolidae. Pseudolabia small; oral opening dumbbell shaped, armed with two rows of teeth. Buccal cavity long and slender; oesophagus divided into short, anterior muscular and long posterior glandular oesophagi. Vulva slightly anterior to middle of body. Tail of the female straight, short and blunt. Fully-developed eggs bearing filaments. The present worm is similar to C. farionis Fischer, 1798 as explained by Yamaguti (1961). However, this is not quite certain due to the absence of males of this worm in the present study. Acanthocephala Only one thorny-headed worm (Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis) was recorded from the intestine of 26 L. abu. According to Mhaisen (2002), this parasite was erroneously identified as the marine N. agilis and all N. agilis records from fishes of Iraq should be referred to N. iraqensis. Therefore, N. iraqensis (and N. agilis in the Iraqi literature) has so far 16 fish host species inclusive of L. abu (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). Crustacea Two copepod crustaceans were recorded during the present investigation (Table 1). Ergasilus sieboldi was recorded from the gills of 13 L. abu. This crustacean has 18 fish host species in Iraq including L. abu of the present study (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). The fifth copepodal stage of the anchor worm Lernaea cyprinacea was recorded on the gills of 13 L. abu. This parasite infects mainly cultured cyprinid fishes. However, it was so far reported from 24 fish host species from many fish farms as well as from many inland water bodies in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). Fungi Only one fungus (Ichthyophonus hoferi) was recorded in different organs of 22 L. abu (Table 1). So far, this fungus is known from 19 fish host species including L. abu in Iraq (Mhaisen, 2003, in press). To sum up on the results of the present survey, it is clear that L. abu harboured 17 parasitic and fungus species (Table 1). This fish (with its highest parasitic fauna) represents a real 43 F.T. Mhaisen et al. threat to farm fishes as it can enter fish farms even through outlet water via the drainage network and hence can carry some parasites to farm fishes. This condition agreed with a conclusion reached by Mhaisen (1993) while reviewing the role of wild fishes in fish farms of Iraq. He stated that L. abu harboured 12 out of 13 parasite and fungus species recorded in wild fishes in fish farms and ponds of Iraq. The other wild fish, B. luteus of the present study harboured eight parasite species (the second rank of importance). Finally, none of the parasites recorded in the present study has any importance from zoonotical point of view and hence such fishes found in the studied drainage network have no adverse effect on human health in this respect. Table (1): Parasite and fungus species of some fishes from Al-Madaen drainage network, south of Baghdad. Site of infection* Host species Parasite group and species PROTOZOA - SPOROZOA K L. abu Chloromyxum wardi + + Gb + B. luteus Myxidium pfeifferi Sp + B. luteus Myxobolus dispar K L. abu G L. abu Myxobolus dogieli K + B. luteus Myxobolus nemachili G, L, K, Go B. luteus Myxobolus oviformis H + C. carassius S, G, L, K, Sp, H, Gb L. abu G, K, L, Gb, Go B. luteus Myxobolus pfeifferi Gb, H, K, L L. abu PROTOZOA - CILIATA G L. abu Chilodonella cyprini G L. abu Ichthyophthirius multifiliis S, G B. luteus Trichodina domerguei G + C. carassius G C. carpio G L. abu TREMATODA S, G L. abu Ascocotyle coleostoma G B. luteus Dactylogyrus vastator G + C. carassius G C. carpio E A. caeruleus Diplostomum sp. E B. luteus E C. carpio G + A. caeruleus Diplozoon kasimii G + L. abu Discocotyle sagittata G + C. carassius Gyrodactylus elegans G C. carpio S, G L. abu G L. abu Microcotyle donavini 44 Occurrence of some fish parasites NEMATHELMINTHES I + L. abu Cucullanus pseudeutropi I L. abu Cystidicola sp. + + ACANTHOCEPHALA I L. abu Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis CRUSTACEA G L. abu Ergasilus sieboldi G C. carpio Lernaea cyprinacea FUNGI G, S, L, Sp, K, H, Gb, I + L. abu Ichthyophonus hoferi * Site of infection: E= eyes, G= gills, Gb= gall bladder, Go= gonads, H= heart, I= intestine, K= kidneys, L= liver, S= skin, Sp= spleen + New host record in Iraq. + + New parasite record in Iraq. LITERATURE CITED Abdul-Ameer, K.N. 1989. Study of the parasites of freshwater fishes from Tigirs river in Salah Al-Dien province, Iraq. M. Sc. Thesis. Univ. Baghdad: 98pp. (In Arabic). Abdul-Rahman, N.M. 1999. Parasites infection in fish from Garmat Ali river and it's relation with food items. M. Sc. Thesis, Univ. Basrah: 103pp. (In Arabic). Al-Awadi, H.M.H. 1997. Some ecological aspects of the parasitic faunae of fishes and aquatic birds in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Iraq. Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. Baghdad: 71pp. Al-Nasiri, F.S. 2000. Parasitic infections of fishes in a man-made lake at Al-Amiriya region, Baghdad. M. Sc. Thesis, Univ. Baghdad: 133pp. (In Arabic). Al-Shaikh, S.M.; Mhaisen, F.T.; Al-Khateeb, G.H.; Balasem, A.N. and Mansoor, N.T. 1995. Collection of some fish parasites from the lower reaches of Diyala river, mid Iraq. J. Environ. Sci. Health, A 30(8): 1707- 1715. Amlacher, E. 1970. Textbook of fish diseases (Engl. transl.). T.F.H. Publ., Jersey city: 302pp. Asmar, K.R.; Balasem, A.N.; Adday, T.K. and Al-Jawda, J.M. 2003. Parasitic infections in some lotic water systems in mid Iraq. Iraqi J. Agric., 8(6): 59-65. (In Arabic). Asmar, K.R.; Balasem, A.N.; Al-Jawda, J.M. and Adday, T.K. 2003. Recording of parasitic and fungal infections in three fish farms, south of Baghdad. Iraqi J. Aquacult., 2: 117- 132 in press (In Arabic). Balasem, A.N.; Mhaisen, F.T.; Al-Jawda, J.M. and Asmar, K.R. 2002a. Collection of some fish parasites from the northern sector of Saddam's river, mid Iraq. Sci. J. I.A.E.C., 4(2): 186- 191. Balasem, A.N.; Mhaisen, F.T.; Al-Jawda, J.M.; Asmar, K.R. and Adday, T.K. 2002b. Parasitic fauna of some fishes in northern sector of Saddam's river at Al- 45 F.T. Mhaisen et al. Mahmoodiya city, Iraq. Al-Tharwa Al-Samakia, 21: 43- 48. (In Arabic). Duijn, V.C. Jnr. 1973. Diseases of fishes, 3rd edn. Iliffe Books, London: 372pp. Fattohy, Z.I. 1975. Studies on the parasites of certain teleostean fishes from the river Tigirs, Mosul, Iraq. M. Sc. Thesis, Univ. Mosul: 136pp. Hoffman, G.L. 1998. Parasites of North American freshwater fishes, 2nd edn., Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca: 539pp. Mhaisen, F.T. 1993. The role of wild fishes in farms of Iraq from parasitological and pathological points of view. Iraqi J. Vet. Med., 17: 126- 136. Mhaisen, F.T. 1996. 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Hist. Mus., In press. Mohammad-Ali, N.R.; Balasem, A.N.; Mhaisen, F.T.; Salih, A.M. and Waheed, I.K. 1999. Observations on the parasitic fauna in Al- Zaafaraniya fish farm, south of Baghdad. Vet., 9(2): 79- 88. Salih, A.M.; Balasem, A.N.; Al-Jawda, J.M.; Asmar, K.R. and Mustafa, S.R. 2000. On a second survey of fish parasites in Al-Zaafaraniya fish farm- Baghdad. J. Diyala, 1(8 part 1): 220- 238. (In Arabic). Shul'man, S.S. 1966. Myxosporidia of the U.S.S.R. Nauka, Moscow (Engl. transl.). Amerind Publ., New Delhi: 632pp. Yamaguti, S. 1961. Systema helminthum, vol. III: The nematodes of vertebrates, part I + II. Intersci. Publ., New York: 1261pp. 46 Occurrence of some fish parasites Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. ( 2003 ) 10 (1) : 39-47 بغداد ظهور بعض طفيليات األسماك في شبكة مبازل المدائن، جنوب ، غسان هاشم الخطيب، عباس ناجي بالسم،*فرحان ضمد محيسن ، جودت مجيد الجودة ونجاح رزاق محمد علي**صادق محمد جواد الشيخ وزارة العلوم والتكنولوجيا، الجادرية، بغداد، العراق ، جامعة بغداد، العراق)إبن الهيثم(ة قسم علوم الحياة، كلية التربي* فرع أمراض الدواجن واألسماك، كلية الطب البيطري، جامعة بغداد، العراق** الخالصة سبعة أنواع من األمساك من شبكة املبازل يف منطقة املدائن، جنوب بغداد خالل املدة مت ع مـــن الطفيليـــات " نوعـــا ٢٢كانـــت هـــذه األمســـاك مصـــابة بــــ . ١٩٩٣مـــن شـــهر آذار وحـــىت آب مــات، نـوعني مــن الديـدان اخليطيــة، نـوع واحــد ( ّ سـبعة بوغيـات حيوانيــة، ثالثـة هــدبيات، سـبعة خمر مـــن بـــني هـــذه . ونـــوع واحـــد مـــن الفطريـــات) الـــرأس ونـــوعني مـــن القشـــريات مـــن الديـــدان شـــوكية .Cystidicola spو Chloromyxum wardiالطفيليـات مت تسـجيل كـل مـن من " نوعا ١١عن ذلك فقد أضيف لقائمة طفيليات أمساك العراق " وفضال. ألول مرة من العراق .املضيفات اجلديدة 47 F.T. Mhaisen et al.