The occurence of procamallanus Sigani (Yamaguti 1935) (Nematoda: Camallanidae) in Siganussutor (Vaenciennes) (Siganoidei:Siganidae) from Dar es Salaam.

While previous work on the infection of fishes with Procamallanus spp. has been mainly concerned with the collection and identification of the parasites, the present study will investigate the occurrence of Procamallanus sigani in sigamssutor from Dar es Salaam coastal waters. The study will involve the following: firstly the ecology of Procamallanus sigani within the fish host will be considered. This encompasses incidence of infection, infection of different age groups and sex of Siganussutor and comparison of infection of S. sutor collected from two different localities. Finally the site and distribution of the parasite in the gut S. sutor will be investigated. Secondly, a number of Procamallanus sigani will be collected from S. sutor and processed for identification purposes. Thirdly, an attempt will be made to establish the mode of infection of S. sutor with Procamallanus sigani. This study will be carried out by searching for probable intermediate host of Procamallanus sigani in the stomach contents of sigamus tutor. A total of 400 fish, the majority bought from fishermen between August 1978 and February 1979, were examined for parasites. Data on the date of collection, locality, length and sex of the fish were taken prior to examination of each fish. The esophagus, stomach and intestine were longitudinally opened and inspected for parasites. Of the 400 fish examined 70.75% were infected with the parasite with a mean intensity per infected fish of 8.13%. The highest number of parasites per infected fish was 46. There was an increase in infection with the advancement of the age of the fish. There was a progressive decrease in the number of parasites from the anterior portion of the intestine to the posterior end. There was no significant difference in the intensity of infection between male and female fish. There was also no significant difference in the intensity of infection in the two localities, Mbudya and Kunduchi, from where fish were obtained. The involvement of copepods as probably intermediate host of Procamallanus sigani could not be established in this study. Hence it is recommended that a separate and intensive study be carried out to establish how infection is siganussutor takes place.