Assessing the Prevalence, Diversity, and Evolutionary Rate Estimation of Endoparasites and Ectoparasites in Oreochromis Niloticus (Nile Tilapia) from Lake Sebu,South Cotabato
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajff.v1i1.7691Keywords:
Fish, Molecular Clock Analysis, Parasite, Parasitology, Time-Calibrated Phylogenetic TreeAbstract
An underestimated issue in fisheries are parasites that pose a public health risk through consuming undercooked or raw fish, which leads to harmful pathogen exposure. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence and diversity of endo- and ectoparasites present in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) from Lake Sebu and to estimate the evolutionary rates of identified parasites by constructing an evolutionary rate phylogenetic tree. Moreover, a descriptive cross-sectional design was used with 27 mature tilapia collected through stratified random sampling through the littoral, inflow, and outflow zones. Then, parasites were identified using standard parasitological methods and the diversity and evolutionary rate were determined using MEGA and PAST software. The results then showed a common infection of the ectoparasite Ichthyobodo (33.33%) and a heavy infection of the endoparasite Capillaria (100%). Furthermore, parasite diversity had the highest relative rate in the littoral zone (H′ = 1.245; D′ = 0.615) compared to the inflow and outflow zones. Lastly, the evolutionary rate revealed that Trichodina (2.36) and Digeneans (2.15) evolved the fastest. Overall, the findings suggested the presence of parasites in Nile tilapia from Lake Sebu, therefore needing better management. To add, greater parasite diversity in the littoral area is likely due to favorable conditions brought by human activities. Moreover, most ectoparasite species showed faster evolutionary rates which suggests a more focused control as it may indicate fast adaptation to environmental changes and develop new infection which is difficult to eradicate.
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