Ecology of the Asian tapeworm, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 of fishes in the Dal lake of Srinagar, Kashmir

Abstract

Seasonal surveys were conducted at the Dal Lake of Srinagar between April 2013 and January 2014. Twenty Schizothorax niger and 20 Cyprinus carpio were collected with the aid of gill nets. Surface water quality variables were included. The cestodes were identified as either Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 or “other cestode species.” The majority (99.8%) of the cestodes found in both fish species were identified as B. acheilognathi (Asian tapeworm). The prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of B. acheilognathi in both fish species were calculated. Ecological parameters including species specificity, seasonality, gender specificity and relationships between fish size and the Asian tapeworm prevalence were also included. In this study, B. acheilognathi preferred Schizothorax niger over Cyprinus carpio although a low intensity was observed in Cyprinus carpio. Furthermore, the infection (in terms of prevalence, abundance and mean intensity) in Schizothorax niger was markedly higher. Seasonal patterns observed in the Asian tapeworm infection of Cyprinus carpio are attributed to breeding and subsequent feeding patterns of this fish species with relatively high infections recorded in winter and spring. In Schizothorax niger no explanation can be given regarding the seasonal patterns observed for the mean intensity and abundance of B. acheilognathi. The maximum and minimum mean intensity and abundance values in Schizothorax niger were recorded in autumn and spring, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of B. acheilognathi was consistently high in all four seasons.