From Africa to Brazil: detection of African Oreochromis niloticus parasites in Brazilian fish farms

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the introduction of Oreochromis niloticus gill parasites in the Paranapanema River basin, northern Paraná, southern Brazil, as well as to inventory its occurrences in Brazilian fish farms and discuss the risks of transmission to native fauna. Methods The gills of 632 fish specimens from four fish farms in the Paranapanema Basin were analyzed. The parasites were collected, processed and identified according to specific procedure. Literature review was carried out to compile records of occurrence of gill parasites species in other Brazilian river basins. Results A total of seven (7) species of parasites were recorded, five (5) of the genus Cichlidogyrus, one (1) of Scutogyrus (Ancyrocephalidae, Monogenoidea) and one (1) of Lamproglena, Lamproglena monodi (Copepoda, Lernaeidae). All native from Africa. Some of these species have been reported in fish farms located in five other Brazilian watersheds. However, in this study a greater number of African gill parasite species was recorded in fish farms in northern Paraná (seven species), in the Paranapanema Basin, with Cichlidogyrus rognoni reported only for this basin. Conclusions The results confirm the introduction of these African parasites along with their host, O. niloticus, and the establishment of these species in Brazilian waters, since many specimens belonging to the species identified herein presented breeding activity for at least one period of the year. Although, only L. monodi has been recorded parasitizing Brazilian native species, data reported for other countries demonstrates the imminent risk of transmission of these O. niloticus parasites to native cichlids.

A global review of problematic and pathogenic parasites of farmed tilapia

“…niloticus introduced into Brazil. Their limited distribution decreases their likelihood of translocation 294 …”

Tilapia introduction in China: Economic boom in aquaculture versus ecological threats to ecosystems

“…Tilapia's introduction can also lead to the presence of parasitic species, 104 such as Paratrichodina africana , a trichodinid native to Africa, 105 which can now be found in several regions of China 106 . Although this parasite was not found in Chinese native fish species, some studies found that congeneric parasites could infect economically important fish species and lead to their death 107 .…”

“…[95][96][97][98][99][100][101] Tilapia was also found to cause impacts such as hybridisation with other cichlid species when introduced outside their natural range even if in their original Africa, 102 Shechonge et al also found that the gene pools and phenotypic identity of the indigenous fish species have been severely impacted by the stocking of the invasive tilapias in Tanzania. 103 Tilapia's introduction can also lead to the presence of parasitic species, 104 such as Paratrichodina africana, a trichodinid native to Africa, 105 which can now be found in several regions of China. 106 Although this parasite was not found in Chinese native fish species, some studies found that congeneric parasites could infect economically important fish species and lead to their death.…”

Peixes Não-Nativos Em Riachos No Brasil: Estado Da Arte, Lacunas De Conhecimento E Perspectivas

“…O bagre-africano Clarias gariepinus trouxe o verme parasito Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda, Anisakidae) para o Brasil (Ribeiro et al 2017) e a tilápia-do-Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (Cichliformes, Cichlidae), espécie muito popular em programas de aquicultura, trouxe da África pelo menos sete espécies de parasitos branquiais, sendo seis monogenoideos (Platyhelminthes) e um crustáceo, Lamproglena monodi (Copepoda, Lernaeidae) (Garcia et al 2019b), representando mais uma ameaça à biodiversidade aquática.…”