Monogenean parasites of Africa’s most cultivated fish, Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae): A review

Abstract

African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Siluriformes; Clariidae) is the second most cultured fish in Africa. Apparently, monogeneans predominate the parasite community of C. gariepinus. Information on the biology, distribution and epizootiology of monogeneans is crucial for designing and effectively guiding aquaculture health management. The aim of this review is to systematically analyze available literature on monogeneans infesting C. gariepinus in Africa to better understand and identify gaps on parasite diversity and geographical distribution. From the 90 published records on monogeneans infesting C. gariepinus in Africa from 1960 to 2022, there are 23 Monogenea species belonging to four genera: Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832; Macrogyrodactylus Malmberg, 1957; Quadriacanthus Paperna, 1961; and Paraquadriacanthus Ergens, 1988. Species of genus Macrogyrodactylus and Quadriacanthus are the most reported while Paraquadriacanthus sp. is the least. Unlike Paraquadriacanthus which shows strict host-specificity, most monogenean genera exhibit a broader host spectrum. Most monogenean genera are moderately distributed across Africa except Paraquadriacanthus which is localized along the Nile in Egypt. Unlike Egypt and southern Africa, there is a scarcity of information on monogeneans infesting C. gariepinus from other parts of Africa. Reliance on only microscopic morphology for parasite identification is obsolete and incapable of yielding reliable insights into species diversity and geographical distribution of monogeneans infesting C. gariepinus.