International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences

Volume (4) - Issue (1), 2019 pp 16-76

Title

Mode of attachment of Quadriacanthus spp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) to the gills of the nile catfish Clarias gariepinus and their local histopathological impacts

Author

M.M. EL-Naggar, M.I. Mashaly and H.E. Allam

Abstract

This is the first study on the mode of attachment and histopathological impacts of the monogeneans Quadriacanthus species. Most adult worms attach their haptor between two adjacent gill lamellae, others to the gill filaments (primary gill lamellae) particularly in the interlamellar spaces and a few attach to the top (distal) region of the gill lamella (secondary gill lamella). In all cases, hamuli, dorsal and ventral bars and marginal hooklets share in securing attachment. The posterior glandular system of Quadriacanthus spp. may play a significant role in attachment. Local histopathological changes of Quadriacanthus spp. include, compression of the gill lamellae, degeneration and rupture of the outermost pavement cells, breakdown of the wall of the blood spaces, fibrosis, necrosis, reduction and desquamation of the lamellar epithelial layers, loss of the innermost pavement cells, swelling and rupture of the blood cells and swelling and vaculation of the lamellar tissues at the site of hook insertion. The local host responses include proliferation of undifferentiated epithelial cells into M1 and M2 mucous cells, hyperplasia and appearance of lymphocytes at the site of haptor attachment.

Keywords

Attachment, Clarias gariepinus, Quadriacanthus spp., Monogenea, Histopathology.

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Article History

Received on 09/01/2019, Accepted on 01/02/2019, Published on 11/02/2019