Host-Ectoparasite Interactions and Condition Factor Variation in the Catfish Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Claroteidae) from Aby Lagoon, Côte d’Ivoire
Abstract
The machoiron, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, is a catfish of major economic and nutritional importance widely exploited in lagoon and estuarine ecosystems of West Africa, particularly in the Aby Lagoon. In a context of increasing anthropogenic pressures, assessing its health status through the study of gill ectoparasites and the condition factor (K) has proven essential. Four hundred and eighty (480) specimens of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were sampled monthly between March 2024 and February 2025 using gill nets. The gills were examined to identify parasites, determine their prevalence and mean intensity, and analyze seasonal variations. The condition factor was calculated and compared between parasitized and non-parasitized individuals according to season, sex, and size classes using chi-square (X²), Kruskal-Wallis (K) and Mann–Whitney tests. Nine species were identified : the Copepods Ergasilus latus, Lernea cyprinacea copepodite stage and Ergasilus sarsi, and the monogeneans Protoancylodiscoides valentini, P. combesi, P. chrysichtes, P. spirovagina, P. mansourensis and P. yombai. The dominant species were E. latus (69.56%), Lernea cyprinacea (61,57%), P. valentini (80.60%), P. combesi (79.97%) and P. mansourensis (73.91%). Infestations were generally higher during the rainy season, with significant seasonal differences (p < 0.05). Mean intensities reached 25.92 ± 1.3 for P. valentini and 32.80 ± 1.5 for P. yombai. Parasitized fish exhibited lower K values (0.57 ± 0.03 in the rainy season ; 0.48 ± 0.01 in the dry season) than non-parasitized individuals (0.84 ± 0.02 ; 0.78 ± 0.01), with a significant difference (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that ectoparasitic infestations negatively affected the body condition of the species and highlighted the importance of parasitological monitoring for assessing the health of natural populations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bouaye Carole Serincia Adou, Kassi Georges Blahoua, Yedehi Euphrasie Adou, Essetchi Paul Kouamelan
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