Parasites and environmental features could synergistically act as stressors to the health of their hosts. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of: (i) water quality, host sex, size and body condition on adult digenean parasite infections; (ii) digenean infections and host sex and size on the oxidative stress biomarkers and body condition of hosts; and (iii) water quality on the oxidative stress biomarkers and body condition in . Water quality variables were measured and were collected each month for a year for examination of two intestinal digeneans, and , and determination of body condition and measurement of biomarkers in the host.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aquatic environment represents the final repository for many human-generated pollutants associated with anthropogenic activities. The quality of natural freshwater systems is easily disrupted by the introduction of pollutants from urban, industrial and agricultural processes. To assess the extent of chemical perturbation and associated environmental degradation, physico-chemical parameters have been monitored in conjunction with biota in numerous biological monitoring protocols.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUsing parasites as sentinel organisms has received increased attention due to their responses toward environmental degradation. In some sections of the Vaal River, South Africa, water quality is altered and biota distribution affected. The aims of this study were to assess and compare infection variables of Paradipolozoon ichthyoxanthonAvenant-Oldewage, 2014 in Avenant- Oldewage et al.
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