Selected parasites of silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorus) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) from northern Namibia

Annette M. Amakali; Ali Halajian; Margit R. Wilhelm; Martin Tjipute; Richard Heckmann; Wilmien Luus-Powell

doi:10.17159/sajs.2022/9139

Authors

Annette M. Amakali Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4133-9233
Ali Halajian DSI-NRF SARChI Chair (Ecosystem Health), Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2279-940X
Margit R. Wilhelm Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9271-2109
Martin Tjipute Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia
Richard Heckmann Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
Wilmien Luus-Powell DSI-NRF SARChI Chair (Ecosystem Health), Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8264-4376

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/9139

Keywords:

Monogenea, Acanthocephala, mariculture, Atlantic Ocean, fish parasites

Abstract

The present study reports five metazoan parasites recorded from silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorus). Five fish were collected monthly (n=55) for 11 months in 2017–2018 (excluding July 2017) using conventional angling gear in Toscanini, Mile 108 and Henties Bay, northern Namibia. Fish were examined individually for ecto- and endo-parasites. Photomicrographs, drawings and measurements of parasites were made using a camera lucida and calibrated eyepiece of an Olympus (BX50) compound microscope and/or a Zeiss (Discovery V8) camera calibrated on a Leica dissecting microscope. Amongst species found, monogeneans including Diplectanum sciaenae van Beneden & Hesse, 1863, two species of Calceostoma van Beneden, 1858, one species of Sciaenacotyle Mamaev, 1989 and one acanthocephalan Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937 were found and are reported here. This is the first study of parasites found from silver kob of the Atlantic Ocean. Silver kob has potential to be used as a mariculture species. In addition to mariculture, information obtained from this study may also be used as a baseline for stock structure and biological tagging.

Significance:

Silver kob has potential to be used as a mariculture species. Information obtained from this study will therefore form awareness to future mariculture silver kob farmers in terms of parasites that can infest and infect silver kob, hence making it possible to apply specific prevention and control measures. In addition to mariculture, results obtained from this study may be used as a baseline for biological tagging for stock structure assessment using parasites.