Seasonal population dynamics of the monogeneans Quadriacanthus kobinensis parasitising Clarias fuscus in Pearl River, China

Abstract

This paper describes the population dynamics of Quadriacanthus kobinensis on the gills of Clarias fuscus following a field investigation from June 2012 to May 2013 in Pearl River, China. The results showed that in Q. kobinensis prevalence was highest (70.13 %) in the summer and Mean intensity reached a peak in the autumn. The maximum number of Q. kobinensis in a fish was 474. The maximum abundance occurred during summer (25.8) and the minimum values during spring. Q. Kobinensis exhibited an aggregated distribution in all seasons. The highest prevalence was in hosts of 28 cm<L and the infection intensity was also the highest in this group. In terms of infection intensity, host of 28 cm<L differed significantly from those of 24<L≤26 cm, but no significant differences existed in other body length groups.

Keywords

• population dynamics
• monogenea
• quadriacanthus kobinensis
• clarias fuscus
• pearl river
• china