Publication details
Two remarkable nematodes from the African reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Polypteriformes: Polypteridae)
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Helminthologia |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Polypteridae; Erpetoichthys; nematode; Batrachocamallanus; Gendria; Nigeria |
| Description | A helminthological examination of two specimens of Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Polypteriformes: Polypteridae), imported into the Czech Republic as an aquarium fish from Nigeria, revealed the presence of two nematode species in the hosts intestine: Batrachocamallanus siluranae Jackson et Tinsley, 1995 and Gendria polypteri Vassiliades et Chevalier, 1973. Representatives of Batrachocamallanus Jackson et Tinsley, 1995 (Spirurida: Camallanidae) have so far only been described in aquatic clawed toads (Xenopus spp.) from Africa. The discovery of a member of the genus in the freshwater polypterid fish may indicate an accidental infection acquired by E. calabaricus while feeding on infected copepods, probable intermediate hosts of the parasite. Considering the subadult stage of the presented nematode specimen, E. calabaricus may well serve as a paradefinitive host of B. siluranae. The finding of G. polypteri (Ascaridida: Quimperiidae) in E. calabaricus represents new host and geographical records. |