Camallanid nematodes from Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in the Crocodile River, Gauteng, South Africa: Exploring diversity and divergence in an acid-mine drainage impacted environment

Ashlee P. Nofal, Quinton M. Dos Santos, Franz Jirsa, Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Clarias gariepinus collected from Lake Heritage, Crocodile River, were found to harbour camallanid nematodes. Previously, Boomker (1982) surveyed the Hartbeespoort Dam, downstream of the current study site, and identified a high prevalence of Procamallanus (Procamallanus) laeviconchus and Paracamallanus cyathopharynx. Since then, Procamallanus (Procamallanus) pseudolaeviconchus was described from C. gariepinus suggesting reconsideration of the identifications of Procamallanus species in historical studies from clariids. The aim of the current study was to definitively identify the nematodes collected from C. gariepinus in Lake Heritage, using morphological and molecular analyses. Morphological study consisted of light and scanning electron microscopy which confirmed the identity P. (P.) pseudolaeviconchus and P. cyathopharynx. This included descriptions of the detailed morphology of isolated buccal capsules for both species using soft tissue digestion, notably for the first time for P. (P.) pseudolaeviconchus. The morphology of isolated spiculae of both species was described for the first time using SEM. Molecular analyses included genetic characterisation of the small ribosomal subunit (18S) rDNA and cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) mtDNA. Genetic data supported the morphological identification of both species, however, divergence was detected in CO1 mtDNA data for P. cyathopharynx indicating two distinct lineages. Due to this variation, the morphometry of P. cyathopharynx specimens were revisited including statistical re-evaluation. No robust morphological traits were identified to support CO1 mtDNA lineages and all specimens were considered conspecific. In terms of camallanid biodiversity in the Crocodile River system, it is similar to that in Boomker (1982), despite the altered water quality from past acid mine pollution in the river.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-210
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
Volume19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Aquaculture
  • Clean water and sanitation
  • DNA barcoding
  • Life below water
  • Principal component analysis
  • Sclerotised structure isolation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Camallanid nematodes from Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in the Crocodile River, Gauteng, South Africa: Exploring diversity and divergence in an acid-mine drainage impacted environment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this