Heterophyid metacercarial infections in brackish water fishes from Jinju-man (Bay), Kyongsangnam-do, Korea

Abstract

Heterophyid metacercarial infections in brackish water fishes, i.e., perch, shad, mullet, redlip mullet, andgoby, of Jinju-man (Bay), Kyongsangnam-do, Korea, were investigated using a digestion technique. Among 45 perch(Lateolabrax japonicus), the metacercariae of Heterophyopsis continua were found in 55.6% (18.5 metacercariae perfish), Stictodoraspp. in 28.9% (3.6), and Metagonimus takahashii in 6.7% (17.0). The metacercariae of H. continuawere detected in 23 (65.7%) of 35 shad (Konosirus punctatus). Among 15 mullet (Mugil cephalus ), the metacercariaeof Pygidiopsis summa were found in 100% (105.9 metacercariae per fish), Heterophyes nocens in 40.0% (8.5), H.continua in 13.3%, and Stictodoraspp. in 6.7%. Among 12 redlip mullet (Chelon haematocheilus ), the metacercariaeof P. summa were detected in 91.7% (1,299 metacercariae per fish), H. nocens in 16.7%, and Stictodoraspp. in16.7%. Among 35 gobies ( Acanthogobius flavimanus), the metacercariae of Stictodoraspp. were found in 82.9%(44.5 metacercariae per fish), and H. continuainfected with metacercariae from perches were compatible with M. takahashii. The results confirm that the estuarinefish in Jinju-man (Bay) are heavily infected with heterophyid metacercariae. Furthermore, it was found for the first timethat the perch acts as a second intermediate host for M. takahashii.