Intensity of Parasitic Infestation in Freshwater Snake Head (Channa punctatus) of Belai Beel, Gazipur, Bangladesh in Winter Season

Abstract

An investigation was made on the intensity of parasitic infestation in freshwater snake head channa punctatus of Belai beel of Gazipur district to determine intensity of infection, density of infection, index of infection and prevalence of parasitic infestation. The study was carried out in winter season from November 2016 to January 2017. A total of 98 parasites were collected from 52 host species (Channa punctatus). All parasites were belonged to five groups viz. cestode, trematode, nematode, acanthocephala and crustaceae of eight species (Senga sp., Clinostomum sp., Euclinostomum sp., Cammalanus sp., Pallisentis sp., Echinorynchus sp., Argulus sp., Larnaea sp.). During the study period the highest intensity of infection was found in nematode (1.67) and the lowest intensity of infection was found in both trematode and crustaceae (1.00). On the other hand, the highest density of infection was found in acanthocephala (0.30) and the lowest density of infection was found in crustacean (0.05). In contrast, the highest index of infection was found in nematode (48.75) and the lowest index of infection was found in crustaceae (0.17). In this study the highest incidence of infection was found in nematode (75%) and the lowest incidence of infection was found in crustaceae (5.76%). Out of eight species six were endoparasites and two were ectoparasites. Most of the parasites were found in intestine.