Volume 26, Issue 77, January - June, 2025

Seasonal prevalence on the Parasitism of Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw, 1792) by Pennella sp. (Copepoda: Pennellidae) from the Tamil Nadu Coastal waters, India

Vasanthan Koothan, Mukesh Murukesan, Ayyaru Gopalakrishnan^♦, Deepa Joan of Arc, Nagarajan Arumugam

Centre of Advanced Study in Maine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai- 608 502, Tamilnadu, India

^♦Corresponding Author
Centre of Advanced Study in Maine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai- 608 502, Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the parasitism of Indo-Pacific sailfish along the Tamil Nadu coastal waters during the December 2023 and November 2024. The examination of 1,207 fish specimens were collected from three landing stations: Annan Koil, Mudasalodai, and MGR Thittu, where we have found 142 infested fish, thereby reporting an overall prevalence of 11.76%. Station-specific prevalence rates were 11.53% at Annan Koil, 12.5% at Mudasalodai, and 11.21% at MGR Thittu. The prevalence was the highest during the summer season (March-May) and the lowest during the monsoon (September-November). The anatomical and morphological studies of the parasites showed attachment to the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the host, with key diagnostic features being cephalothorax, antennary processes, and egg sacs. Chi-Square statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the prevalence and intensity of infestation between stations (p < 0.05). Mudasalodai had the highest mean intensity (2.4 parasites per infected fish), followed by Annan Koil (1.7) and MGR Thittu (1.5). Seasonal variation showed higher infestation intensities during the summer and post-monsoon periods. These findings highlight the influence of seasonal factors on the parasitic infestation dynamics of Pennella sp. in the coastal waters of Tamil Nadu.

Keywords: Copepoda, Pennella, Prevalence, Tamilnadu

Species, 2025, 26(77), e5s1767

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v26i77.e5s1767

Published: 25 January 2025