Seasonal Dynamics Of Trematode Parasite, Opisthorchis Pedicellata Infection In Rita Rita ( Hamilton, 1822) Of Gomti River, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Opisthorchis pedicellata (Verma, 1927) a common trematode parasite was recovered from the gallbladder of the freshwater catfish species Rita rita (Ham.) from Gomti riverine ecosystem of Lucknow, India. The study is focussed on the seasonal and monthly variation in helminth infection represented by parameters like prevalence % and Mean Intensities. This is assessed for the fluke Opisthorchis pedicellata that was recovered from the catfish Rita rita for two annual cycles (July 2021 to June 2023). A total of 840 Rita rita fish were randomly collected from local fisherman from Pipraghat of Gomti river, Lucknow. The fishes were dissected for investigating the parasitological presence of fluke Opisthorchis pedicellata. Presence of the fluke was recorded throughout the study period but in varying intensities and seasonal cycle of occurrence. The prevalence% ranged between 37.43% to 71.43%. In the month of August 2022, 71.43% of the total examined fishes were found infected with the fluke. The prevalence% was least during the month of December 2021 when only 37.43% of the fishes examined were found infected. The maximum mean intensity was seen in the month of July 2022 while the minimum was observed during the month of February 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]