Identification and Life Cycle of Marine Leech Isolated From Cultured Hybrid Grouper in the Northern Bali Waters of Indonesia

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify and to determine life cycle of marine leech isolated from cultured hybrid grouper “cantik” (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus fx E. polyphekadion m) in the northern Bali waters of Indonesia under laboratory conditions. Observation of the life cycle of the marine leech was done using petri-dishes (9 cm in diameter) arranged into two groups. In group-1, a petri-dish was filled with sterile seawater (with water exchange of 50%-60% every two days) and in group-2, a petri-dish was filled with continuous running water. DNA sequence was aligned with the sequences from GenBank by BLAST program. Results of similarity index with GenBank sequence exhibited that the nucleic acid of the marine leech isolated from the hybrid grouper “cantik” showed high similarity (99%) with Zeylanicobdella arugamensis. One adult leech could produce 1-63 eggs. The eggs were developed into morula, blastula, and gastrula within five days. The early phase of the embryo with daily water exchange treatment started on day-6 and hatched into larvae on day-10. The eggs incubated with continuous running water had hatched faster (eight days). However, not all eggs hatched at the same time. Some of the eggs hatched 1-3 days after the first one. Hatching rate of eggs varied from 2.70% to 100%. The newly hatched Z. arugamensis larva has transparent color and length of 1.0-1.5 mm. On day-6, Z. arugamensis larvae were already seen attaching to the body of the fish. The size of the Z. arugamensis larvae ranged between 3-11 mm on day-9. In that stage, they were able to produce eggs. Therefore, we argue that Z. arugamensis only requires 17 to 22 days to develop into the adult stage.

Prevalence, intensity and histopathology of Zeylanicobdella arugamensis infestation on groupers reared on different aquaculture systems

“…The marine ectoparasite was mostly found attached to the body surface, eyes, mouth, ventral fins and dorsal fins. These results were very similar with previous studies in the same species (Azmey, Taruna, Taha, & Arai, 2020; Jamaris, Roza, & Mahardika, 2019; Mahardika, Mastuti, Sudewi, et al, 2018; Murwantoko et al, 2018) or different fish species (Azuar, Raza'i, & Miranti, 2019; Nagasawa, Shimadzu, & Ikeda, 2012; Nagasawa & Uyeno, 2009; Ravi & Shariman Yahaya, 2017). Accordingly, a study by Cruz‐Lacierda et al.…”

“…(2008) in several species including brown‐marbled grouper ( Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ), green grouper ( Epinephelus suillus ), humpback grouper ( C. altivelis ), coral grouper ( Epinephelus corallicola ), seabass ( Lates calcarifer ) and snapper ( Lates argentinaculatus ). The next study was reported by Mahardika, Mastuti, Sudewi, and Zafran (2018) infecting hybrid grouper ( Epinephelus fuscogutattus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂) in Gondol, Bali Island (Mahasri, Wulansari, & Imani, 2019), in Situbondo, East Java, Indonesia. The above studies did not provide data on differences in pathogenicity in the different species of groupers, nor did they examine the influence of rearing conditions on the prevalence and intensity of infestation.…”

“…The present study reported prevalence, intensity and histopathology of Z. arugamensis infestation in humpback and hybrid groupers cultured in a hatchery, floating net cages, concrete ponds and earthen ponds in Situbondo, East Java, Indonesia. Based on its morphological characteristics, the marine leech was identified as Z. arugamensis (Cruz‐Lacierda et al., 2000; Mahardika, Mastuti, Sudewi, et al, 2018; Murwantoko, Negoro, Isnansetyo, & Zafran, 2018; Nagasawa & Uyeno, 2009; Palm, Yulianto, Theisen, Rueckert, & Kleinertz, 2015). In Indonesia, the similar marine leech had been identified using a molecular method based on nucleotides sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and confirmed that the leech as Z. arugamensis (Murwantoko et al, 2018).…”

Prevalensi Ektoparasit Pada Ikan Budidaya Di Karamba Jaring Apung Di Teluk Kaping, Buleleng, Bali

“…Perubahan lingkungan perairan juga berdampak pada kesehatan ikan. Beberapa patogen seperti cacing insang dan lintah Hirudinea dilaporkan menyebabkan kematian massal pada ikan kerapu di Teluk Pegametan [9].…”

Population Genetic Structure of Marine Leech, Pterobdella arugamensis in Indo-West Pacific Region

“…A marine ectoparasitic fish leech, Z. arugamensis de Silva, 1963, which was first identified in Sri Lanka and belongs to the family Piscicolidae, can infect several teleost fish, including cultured groupers [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], by feeding on the blood of its hosts; no other marine leech species has been reported to infest groupers. However, recently, this taxonomic name has been revised to P. arugamensis [ 17 ].…”