Population dynamics of Pallisentis ophiocephali in Channa striata from Karimnagar, Telangana, India

Parasites are one of the components of ecosystem. Acanthocephala are endoparasites. The present investigation was conducted to document the seasonal population dynamics of Pallisentis ophiocephali (Acanthocephala), and the impact of host on it, Channa striatus of Karimnagar region of Telangana. A total of 419 and 379 viscera of fish were examined over a period of two years (from February 2019 to January 2021). Annual prevalence was 37.42% and 43.48% for the 1st and 2nd years respectively. The average monthly prevalence was 22.64% (January, 2019) to 63.33% (October, 2019) and for the 2020-2021 year it ranged from 22.91% (January, 2012) to as high as 81.81 %( June, 2021). It was more during rainy (53.85%), followed by summer (44.93%) and winter (31.72%). It may be attributed to the availability of food organisms during rainy season.