Survey on Some Ectoparasitosis in Moolgarda seheli from Suez Canal area, Egypt

This survey study has been applied to a total number of 200 Moolgarda seheli that collected randomly and seasonally from different areas of the Suez Canal at Ismailia Governorate.  Infected fish showed no obvious clinical abnormalities except in case of heavy infestation with the ectoparasites, where some infested fishes revealed respiratory manifestation and surface swimming. Other fishes showed hemorrhagic areas on the gill cover, abdomen, and fins.  The results of this survey revealed 2 phyla of economically important fish parasites which were three copepods (Lernanthropus species, Caligus lichiae, and Lepeophtheirus lichiae) isolated from the gills and one monogenean (Benedenia sekii ) isolated from the gill and the buccal cavity of all examined fish. The total prevalence of infestation was 31% where Lernanthropus, Caligus species and monogenea were 24.5%,  5% and13%; respectively while the mixed infestation between crustaceans with monogenea was 7%. The seasonal prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation was the highest in winter (67.5%) followed by spring then autumn and the lowest was summer (10%). The highest infestation ofLernanthropus species was recorded in the winter (50%) and the lowest in summer (10%). On other hand, the highest infestation of Caligus was highest in the spring (33.33%) and disappeared in the other seasons. The seasonal prevalence of monogenean infestation was the highest in the spring (43.33%) and disappeared in the autumn and summer. Molecular identification of Benedenia species using PCR analysis of the 28SrRNA(mix of C1/D2 pairs) generated larger sequence fragments which were amplicons at approx. 800 bp. The partial sequencing and phylogenetics of the positive sample revealed that our sample was closer related to Benedenia sekii followed by Benedenia sciaenae from Australia which were 97.9% and 97.2%; respectively. The histopathological changes of infested fish with ectoparasite revealed severe atrophy of the gill lamellae along with mechanical destruction, other fish revealed focal infiltrations with leukocytes, in addition to congestion of the gill arch.