INFESTATIONS OF NOTCHED-THREADFIN BREAM, NEMIPTERUS PERONII, WITH THE PARAPHILOMETROIDES NEMIPTERI, AND THE POTENTIAL USE OF THIS PARASITE AS BIOLOGICAL TAG FOR STOCK DISCRIMINATION; MALAYSIAN STUDY CASE

M. H. Borkhanuddin^{1, 2}, F. Shaharom-Harrison¹, Z. Bachok¹

¹Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
²Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

Notched-threadfin bream (Nemipterus peroni), and to a much lesser extent monocle breams (Scolopsis spp), are important component of commercial and artisanal fisheries of Indo-West Pacific region. The Nemipterus peronii, L., or ‘kerisi’, has high commercial value in Malaysia fish market. Analysis on landing trends of Nemipterids in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia shows that almost 50% of this group is N. peronii. However, Nemipterids, which are also major demersal fish resources, have been exploited at 30% within a ten year basis. Continuous research on the inshore fisheries resources is necessary to obtain important information related to biology, habitat, feeding behavior, species composition, distribution, population structure, and seasonal fluctuation of commercially important species. Based upon this fact, biological studies of the ‘kerisi’ seem to be important. The aim of this study was to use the marine nematode Paraphilometroides nemipteri as a potential biological indicator for N. peronii population stocks. Seven hundred and ninety-three N. peronii, obtained from the nine most important landing ports in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia were examined and analyzed. The value of parasitic nematode, P. nemipteri a common nematode of N. peronii as biological tags is assessed for population stock identification. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the characteristics of the infections of P. nemipteri on N. peronii samples or sub-population level of the host. Only prevalence higher than 5% in at least one locality could be considered in the analysis. Identification of stocks is based on significant differences in the mean intensity of adult P. nemipteri. Measures were compared between areas studied. Analysis of P. nemipteri occurrence showed that this species appeared at all study site from Tumpat, Kelantan to Tg. Sedili in Johor of Peninsular Malaysia. Higher occurrence in particular area such as Dungun and Kemaman might indicate the presence of a single stock of population of N. peronii for these areas.