Characterisation of nematode larvae found in a vulnerable native Australian fish, the southern pygmy perch, Nannoperca australis Günther
Shokoofeh Shamsi
A * , Luke Pearce B and Xiaocheng Zhu C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Gulbali Institute and School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
B NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, Habitat and Threatened Species Unit, Freshwater Environment Branch, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
C School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
D NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
Marine and Freshwater Research 74(12) 1095-1101 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23095
Submitted: 18 May 2023 Accepted: 30 June 2023 Published: 27 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Context: The southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis) is an endemic freshwater fish in Australia that is facing population decline and is listed as endangered or vulnerable in several states.
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of parasites in the southern pygmy perch population and provide insights into their effect on the health and conservation of the species.
Methods: In total, 81 southern pygmy perch specimens were examined for parasite infections, followed by characterisation of the parasites.
Key results: The postmortem examination of the fish specimens did not show any visible parasites. However, through the incubation method, nematode larvae were discovered in 14 fish (mean intensity 1.6, mean abundance 0.28).
Conclusions: This study represents the first report of nematode larvae belonging to the genus Spiroxys in Australia, specifically in the southern pygmy perch. These findings highlighted the presence of parasite infections in the endangered southern pygmy perch and underscored the importance of conducting further research on parasites and their potential effect on the health and conservation of this species.
Implications: The discovery of nematode larvae in the southern pygmy perch raises concerns about the potential effects of parasites on the population.
Keywords: detection method, endangered species, Gnathostomatidae, life cycle, native fish, Nematoda, parasites, wildlife.
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