Observations on the occurrence of Allocreadium fasciatusi in Aplocheilus melastigma

Allocreadium fasciatusi is a common trematode occurring in the intestine of the fish Aplocheilus melastigma . The distribution of this fluke inside the fish host has been studied for a period of one year. The fluke occurred throughout the year, the incidence ranged from 20 to 88, and the number of parasites per infected host varied from 1 to 58. The fluke exhibited a seasonal cycle of occurrence with a peak both in incidence and intensity in the month of September. For the rest of the year the population remained constant and there was a balance between recruitment and loss from the trematode populations. The maturation cycle of A. fasciatusi also followed a seasonal pattern. Although the flukes were recruited in all the months, the peak invasion occurred in September. The large numbers of immature flukes received during this month became gravid by January. The availability of infective larvae was considered to be important in influencing the seasonal cycles.
The incidence and intensity of infection were found to be independent of the size of the fish but female fish were noted to be the more heavily infected.