Parasite as Potential Biological Tags for Stock Identification of Sardinella Maderensis along the Coast of West Africa

Abstract

The use of parasites as bioindicators of marine fish stocks was explored worldwide. However, such a study is limited along the West African coast. The current study was intended to apply this method to the stock identification of Sardinella maderensis, one of the most valuable small pelagic fish species along the coast of West Africa. Between February and June 2021, a total of 200 specimens of S. maderensis were randomly sampled from the fishing port of Cotonou along the coast of Benin and the Elmina landing site along the coast of Ghana for morphological and parasitological analyses. The total length of the fish specimens from Benin ranged from 14.5 to 32.2 cm with a mean length of 17.70±2.97 cm; whereas those from Elmina ranged from 16.00 to 32.00 cm with a mean length of 16.00±3.98 cm. The body weights of the Benin samples varied from 28.00 to 287 g with a mean body weight of 144.95 ±47.25 g; and 38.46 to 258.92 g with a mean weight of 120.53±57.41 g in the Ghana samples. A total of four (4) parasitic groups were recorded, including Digenea (Parahemiurus merus), Nematoda (Anisakis sp(p). and Hysterothylacium fortalezae), Cestoda (Tentacularia coryphaenae), and Monogenea (Mazocraeoides sp.). Digenea (Parahemiurus merus) was the most prevalent parasite (41%). Moreover, Anisakis sp(p). and T. coryphaenae, recorded only along the coast of Benin, were found to have the potential for stock identification of S. maderensis along the coast of Benin. They were recorded only along the coast of Benin with a low prevalence. As a result, examination of more S. maderensis from each locality for Anisakis sp(p). and T. coryphaenae may improve their application in stock studies.