Enas Abdel-Hafez
Assiut University, Egypt
Title: Occurrence of metacercarial cyst of Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) tenuicollis in the gills of Ruby-Red-Fin Shark (Rainbow Shark) Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Teleostei: Cyprinidae): Light microscopic study
Biography
Biography: Enas Abdel-Hafez
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to estimate the metacercarial infection in Ruby-Red-Fin Shark, (Rainbow Shark), Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Samples of fish were commercially purchased from an ornamental shop in Asyut city, Egypt and brought to the laboratory. Fish samples were used for light histological analysis. All fish measured and deeply anesthetized with benzocaine (4 mg/L). Fish were ranging from 10 to 12 cm in standard body length. Using histological examination, we identified a heterophyid parasite metacercaria; Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) tenuicollis Price, 1935. The metacercarial cyst was located inside the cartilaginous support of the gill arches which were surrounded by thick fibrous perichondrium. Cartilage enlargement occurs as a result of invaginations of the perichondrium into the cartilage mass and proliferation of the chondrocytes progeny.