Report of Paradilepis Sp. (Cestoda) and Proximate Composition of Tilapia guineensis from Rumuola Borrow Pit, Port Harcourt- Nigeria

Author(s): Joseph F, Amuzie CC, Moslen M

Paradilepis sp. has been poorly reported in fishes of Nigeria. This may be due to sparse distribution or difficulty with its identification. Here, we present a report of the species in Tilapia guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit, Port Harcourt-Nigeria. We also report recovery of the metacestodes from the African Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus meridionalis). Fish species were harvested with fishing nets from the borrow pit and examined for parasites using standard procedures. The proximate composition of fish tissues and water quality assessment were done following standard protocols. Fish specimens were of mean total length, wet body weight and condition factor of 17.3±2.4cm, 109.3±2.4g and 2.0±0.2, respectively. Paradilepis sp. was recovered at a prevalence of 52%, and intensity of 4-90 parasites per infected host. Cysticercoids were detached from the intestinal wall of T. guineensis while metacestodes were recovered from the intestine of G. c. meridionalis. Proximate composition of T. guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit showed the fish had moisture content of 72.2%, crude protein 19.88% and carbohydrate 2.32%. The crude ash, fat and fibre contents were 1.64%, 2.69% and 1.27%, respectively. Results of the water quality analysis showed that heavy metals (Pb [0.05mg/L] and Fe [0.44mg/L]), organic matter (0.41mg/L), and total suspended solids (68.0mg/L) were above the permissible limits of 0.01mg/L, 0.30mg/L, 0.01mg/L and 30mg/L, respectively. It is recommended that piscivorous birds from Port Harcourt be examined for the possible recovery of adult Paradilepis sp. in order to complete its life cycle. The study concluded that residents of Rumuola should desist from indiscriminate disposal of household and other wastes into the borrow pit, and avoid consuming fish harvested from the pit to prevent metal poisoning.

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