Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology

Research Paper|Published June 2020|Vol.6 (5):87-93

https://doi.org/10.36630/jasft_20015

 

 

Isolation of Parasites in Blue Swimming Crab (Callinectes Amnicola) From Elechi Creek in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

 

Eze, Chinwe Nwadiuto*, Owhoeli Ovutor  and Chukwuma, Dorathy Tochukwu

 

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

 

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the parasitic load of the blue swimming crabs (Callinectes amnicola) from Elechi Creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State between August and October 2018. One Hundred and ten live crabs were collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis respectively. Physicochemical values were within the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment Standard for the survival of aquatic lives. A total of 51(46.3%) crabs, 27 (50.9%) males and 24 (42.1%) females were positive for parasites. The parasitic prevalence was determined using six different sub-samples namely, the appendages, carapace, gastrointestinal tracts, gills, hemolymph and mouthparts/eyes. Parasites were more prevalent in the gastrointestinal tracts and hemolymph; 16 (23.6%) and 13 (23.6%) respectively. Fourteen species of parasites belonging to protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, platyhelminthes and dinoflagellates were recovered. Parasites of the phylum Protozoa were most abundant with 40 (75.4%) and a diversity of 8 species of the 53 parasites identified with Blastodinium spp being the most abundant with 15(28.3%). Further investigations on Vibrio spp and Ameson spp in blue swimming crab (C. amnicola) needs to be conducted in the creek.

 

Keywords: Callinectes amnicola, Elechi creek, parasites, physicochemical parameters, Blastodinium spp.

 

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