Parasites of Barbus species (Cyprinidae) of southern Africa By Pieter Johannes Swanepoel Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Scientiae in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State. Supervisor: Prof J.G. van As Co-supervisor: Prof L.L. van As Co-supervisor: Dr K.W. Christison July 2015 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 CYPRINIDAE .......................................................................................................... 6 BARBUS ............................................................................................................... 10 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 12 2. Study Sites ................................................................................................ 16 OKAVANGO RIVER SYSTEM .............................................................................. 17 Importance ................................................................................................................... 17 Hydrology .................................................................................................................... 17 Habitat and Vegetation ................................................................................................ 19 Leseding Research Camp............................................................................................ 23 PONGOLA RIVER SYSTEM ................................................................................. 25 Importance ................................................................................................................... 25 Hydrology .................................................................................................................... 27 Habitat and Vegetation ................................................................................................ 27 Ndumo Game Reserve ................................................................................................ 28 ORANGE-VAAL RIVER SYSTEM ........................................................................ 30 Importance ................................................................................................................... 30 Hydrology .................................................................................................................... 32 Habitat and Vegetation ................................................................................................ 34 Free State Provincial Dams ......................................................................................... 35 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 36 3. Ciliophora .................................................................................................. 39 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 40 MATERIALS AND METHODS .............................................................................. 41 Fish collections ............................................................................................................ 41 Host examination, fixation and preservation of parasites ............................................. 42 Light microscopy preparations ..................................................................................... 44 Morphological measurements ...................................................................................... 45 RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 47 Trichodina kazubski van As & Basson, 1989 ............................................................... 48 II Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977 ...................................................................... 52 Tripartiella macrosoma Basson & van As, 1987 ........................................................... 56 Tripartiella lechridens Basson & van As, 1987 ............................................................. 60 Trichodinella epizootica (Raabe, 1950) Šrámek-Hušek, 1953 ...................................... 62 Apiosoma caulata Viljoen & van As, 1985 .................................................................... 65 Apiosoma phiala Viljoen & van As, 1985 ...................................................................... 67 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................ 70 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 72 4. Myxozoa ..................................................................................................... 75 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 76 MATERIALS AND METHODS .............................................................................. 79 Host examination, fixation and preservation of parasites ............................................. 79 Light microscopy preparations ..................................................................................... 80 Morphological measurements ...................................................................................... 80 RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 81 Myxobolus nyongana (Fomena, Bouix, & Birgi, 1985) Fomena & Bouix, 1997 ............. 82 Myxobolus sp. 1 ........................................................................................................... 85 Myxobolus oloi Fomena, & Bouix, 1994 ....................................................................... 88 Myxobolus sp. 2 ........................................................................................................... 91 Myxobolus paludinosus Reed, Basson & van As, 2002 ................................................ 93 Myxobolus etsatsaensis Reed, Basson & van As, 2002 ............................................... 96 Myxobolus heterosporus Baker, 1963 type 2 ............................................................... 98 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................... 101 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 102 5. Monogenea ............................................................................................. 105 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 106 MATERIALS AND METHODS ............................................................................ 108 Host examination, fixation and preservation of parasites ........................................... 108 Light microscopy preparations ................................................................................... 108 Morphological measurements .................................................................................... 109 Data analysis ............................................................................................................. 110 RESULTS ........................................................................................................... 111 Dactylogyrus dominici Mashego, 1983 ....................................................................... 111 Dactylogyrus sp. 1 ..................................................................................................... 115 III Dactylogyrus sp. 2 ..................................................................................................... 118 Dactylogyrus sp. 3 ..................................................................................................... 120 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................... 123 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 126 6. Cestoda and Trematoda ..................................................................... 129 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 130 MATERIALS AND METHODS ............................................................................ 133 Host examination, fixation and preservation of parasites ........................................... 133 Light microscopy preparations ................................................................................... 133 Morphological measurements .................................................................................... 135 RESULTS ........................................................................................................... 136 Proteocephalus sp. 1 ................................................................................................. 136 Ichthybothrium sp. 1 ................................................................................................... 143 Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 .......................................................... 148 Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) ............................................................................ 154 Parvitaenia Burt, 1940 ..............................................................................................