Metazoan parasite diversity of the endemic South African intertidal klipfish, Clinus superciliosus: Factors influencing parasite community composition

Novel insights into the genetics, morphology, distribution and hosts of the global fish parasitic digenean Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) (Digenea: Fellodistomidae)

Larval stages of the widely distributed digenean species Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) were reported 40 years ago from South Africa in the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier (Octopodidae). However, the absence of adult specimens and molecular data from this region has hindered a comprehensive understanding of its distribution. In this study, we collected three species of intertidal and near-shore marine fishes [Clinus superciliosus (L.) (Clinidae), Diplodus capensis (Smith) (Sparidae) and Sparodon durbanensis (Castelnau) (Sparidae)] along the South African coast and discovered adult specimens of P. maculatus at five localities. By employing a combination of morphological and molecular techniques, including 28S rDNA, 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA analyses, the first report of adult P. maculatus from South Africa is presented. The findings encompass a comprehensive morphological description and molecular data, illuminating the true distribution of this species in the region.

Working towards a conservation plan for fish parasites: Cyprinid parasites from the south African cape fold freshwater ecoregion as a case study

The preservation of the world's biodiversity for future generations has been a global objective for many years, with the establishment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 1964. However, the conservation of parasites is a more recent development and, due to the difficulty in obtaining data and studying some of the parasitic species, comes its own series of challenges. Using parasites of cyprinid hosts (one critically endangered, one endangered and three near threatened) collected from South Africa's Cape Fold freshwater ecoregion (CF) as a case study, this paper discusses the challenges and possible solutions for implementing a fish parasite conservation project. Novel data on the fish parasites (1819 metazoan parasite individuals, representing the Acanthocephala, Cestoda, Copepoda, Digenea, Monogenea and Nematoda) of the CF are provided from the five endemic hosts, Cheilobarbus serra (Peters, 1864), Labeobarbus seeberi (Gilchrist et Thompson, 1913), Pseudobarbus phlegethon (Barnard, 1938), Sedercypris calidus (Barnard, 1938), and Sedercypris erubescens (Skelton, 1974). Conservation statuses for selected parasite taxa are also proposed based on the conservation statuses of the fish hosts, according to the Conservation Assessment Methodology for Animal Parasites (CAMAP).

High element concentrations are not always equivalent to a stressful environment: differential responses of parasite taxa to natural and anthropogenic stressors

Environmental parasitology developed as a discipline that addresses the impact of anthropogenic activities related to the occurrence and abundance of parasites, subsequently relating deviations of natural parasite distribution to environmental impact. Metals, often considered pollutants, might occur under natural conditions, where concentrations might be high due to a natural geogenic release rather than anthropogenic activities. We specifically investigated whether naturally occurring high levels of elements might negatively affect the parasite community of the intertidal klipfish, Clinus superciliosus, at different localities along the South African coast. Parasite communities and element concentrations of 55 klipfish (in muscle and liver) were examined. Our results show that parasites can disentangle anthropogenic input of elements from naturally occurring high element concentrations. Acanthocephala, Cestoda and Isopoda were associated with higher concentrations of most elements. Environmental parasitology, applicable to a wide range of systems, is scarcely used on marine ecosystems and can contribute to environmental monitoring programs.