International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences

Volume (4) - Issue (4), 2019 pp 174-183

Title

Effect of endoparasites in the length-weight relationship and developmental stability of the threadfin bream Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791)

Author

Ranjiv D. Alibon, Jessa Mae P. Gonzales, Alea Ester T. Ordoyo, Sarah May D. Medalle, Adzna T. Abduho, Ayra M. Jingkatal, Bon Evan S. Cuadra and Melbert C. Sepe

Abstract

Nemipterus japonicus is one of the most convenient hosts in studying parasites because of its association with polluted marine ecosystems making it as more susceptible to parasitism. Herein, the effect of endoparasites in the length-weight relationship (LWR) and developmental stability of N. japonicus were investigated through the use of linear regression analysis and fluctuating asymmetry (FA), respectively. There were 30 infected and 30 non-infected samples of N. japonicus collected from the two sites in Mindanao, Philippines then measured morphometrically and examined parasitologically. Results showed that four species of endoparasites were found in the intestine of N. japonicus, with Acanthocephalus sp. as the most abundant, most prevalent and has the highest mean intensity in Sangali while Anisakis sp. in Maluso. Linear regression analysis revealed that all of the samples collected from the two sites exhibit negative allometric growth pattern (b<3.0), strongly correlated (r>0.70) and found to be highly significant (P<0.05), indicating that as the body length of N. japonicus increases; its body weight becomes less rotund. The Procrustes Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed insignificant levels of FA for non-infected N. japonicus while those infected N. japonicus yield significant FA value (p<0.001) for both sites, implying that the presence of parasites can affect the developmental stability of N. japonicus. Findings suggest that parasites can increase the levels of FA due to the stress it induced in the development of the organism and demonstrates that LWR and FA are useful tools in studying the conditions of fish populations in their habitat.

Keywords

Fluctuating asymmetry, Growth pattern, Nemipterids, Parasitism, Water pollution.

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Article History

Received on 14/07/2019, Accepted on 29/08/2019, Published on 31/08/2019