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Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of freshwater fishes of the Zambesi River System, with a reappraisal of host specificity

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Abstract

Over a period of five years parasitological surveys were carried out on the freshwater fish fauna in the eastern Caprivi which included the upper Zambesi River, a section of the Chobe and Kwando Rivers, and vast swampy areas. This area is well known for its wide variety of indigenous fish and has so far not been influenced in any way by introduced alien fish species. In these surveys 45 different fish species of 12 families were examined. This paper reports on the parasites of the generaTrichodina andHemitrichodina of the eastern Caprivi. A total of 15 species of parasites were recorded of which nine are new species described here-in. The list of host records of known species are expanded and an evaluation of host specificity based on information recorded in this survey as well as previously published data from southern Africa is provided.

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Van As, J.G., Basson, L. Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of freshwater fishes of the Zambesi River System, with a reappraisal of host specificity. Syst Parasitol 22, 81–109 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009603

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