Year: 2026 | Month: October | Volume: 13 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 448-456
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20261040
Helminth infection in Wallago attu from the Godavari River in Nashik
Monika Borade1, Tanaji Jadhav2
1Maulana Azad College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India
2Shivaji Arts, Commerce and Science College, Kannad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Monika Borade
ABSTRACT
Helminth infection in predatory freshwater fish provides information on host exposure and parasite diversity, but local estimates depend on consistent denominators and defensible identification. This study analysed Wallago attu examinations from three Godavari River reaches in Nashik, Maharashtra, during June 2022 to May 2024. Infection prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance and major-group composition were calculated from the survey summaries. Proportions were accompanied by 95% Wilson confidence intervals. Pearson chi-square tests assessed five host and sampling comparisons, with Holm adjustment for multiple testing. Of 789 fish examined, 58 were infected and 75 helminths were recovered. Overall prevalence was 7.35% (95% confidence interval 5.73–9.39%), mean intensity was 1.29 helminths per infected fish, and mean abundance was 0.095 helminths per examined fish. Thirteen taxa or operational morphotypes were recorded: eight cestodes, three nematodes and two trematodes. Cestodes accounted for 50 of the 75 worms. Prevalence increased from 4.01% in monsoon to 11.27% in summer; the seasonal association remained significant after adjustment (adjusted p = 0.0381). Larger fish also had higher prevalence (adjusted p = 0.0083). Differences among reaches, sexes and study years were not significant. The examined assemblage combined low pooled infection burden with cestode-dominated morphotype richness. These findings provide a descriptive baseline for the Nashik survey, while voucher-linked taxonomy and fish-level records remain necessary for resolving species identities and jointly assessing ecological predictors.
Keywords: Wallago attu; helminths; Godavari River; Nashik; prevalence; cestodes; seasonal variation.
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