Spatial Distribution of Five Myxozoans (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) Species on the Gills of Labeobarbushabereri (Steindachner, 1912) from the Moliwè River, Cameroon
The distribution of parasites on fish gills is shaped by the organ’s structural heterogeneity. This study focuses on the spatial distribution of Myxozoan species on the gills of L. habereri in natural conditions, as most known Myxozoan species infect fish gills. The gill apparatus of each host was divided into regions to determine infection site and cyst counts for each parasite species. Data were analyzed at both species and xenocommunity levels, assessing site specificity and comparing mean cyst loads across gill regions. Five cyst-forming Myxozoan species were identified: Myxoboluspaludinosus, Myxobolusmakombensis, Myxobolusnyongana, Myxobolus sp., and Thelohanellusassambai. Their prevalence ranged from 14.61% to 98.16%, with mean cyst loads varying between 7.18 ± 0.64 and 598.56 ± 29.92. No significant differences in epidemiological indices were noted based on the side of the gill. The prevalence of M. paludinosus, M.makombensis, Myxobolus sp., and T. assambai was lower in holobranch IV, where cyst accumulation of M. paludinosus was also reduced. Epidemiological indices were similar between hemibranchs, except for M.makombensis, which showed a higher mean cyst load on the anterior hemibranch. While M.makombensis occupied holobranch portions with various patterns, the other Myxozoan species exhibited similar distribution across the gill portions. Myxoboluspaludinosus, M.makombensis, M.nyongana, and T. assambai developed more cysts in the median gill sector of some holobranchs. This study represents the first analysis of Myxozoan distribution on L. habereri gills, highlighting the affinity of certain parasites for specific gill microhabitat.
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