Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287818

Title: Histological and computed tomographic evaluation of a parasitic conjoined twin in hybrid catfish Ictalurus punctatus X I. furcatus

Author
item LEACH, CHARLES - Mississippi State University
item THOMAS, MICHAEL - Mississippi State University
item COOLEY, A - Mississippi State University
item Waldbieser, Geoffrey - Geoff
item Bosworth, Brian
item Torrans, Eugene
item KHOO, LESTER - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2014
Citation: Leach, C., Thomas, M., Cooley, A.J., Waldbieser, G.C., Bosworth, B.G., Torrans, E.L., Khoo, L. 2014. Histological and computed tomographic evaluation of a parasitic conjoined twin in hybrid catfish Ictalurus punctatus X I. furcatus. Journal of Fish Diseases. 37:521-526.

Interpretive Summary: A qualitative anatomical analysis was performed on a conjoined twin from a hybrid catfish family due to its rare occurrence. Increased handling of catfish eggs during hybrid production has not led to an increased incidence of conjoined twins.

Technical Abstract: There is growing use of hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus ' X Ictalurus furcatus ') in commercial aquaculture.to utilize hybrid vigor to improve production A conjoined twin specimen found during the course of production studies by the United States Department of Agriculture Catfish Genetic Research Unit (USDA-CGRU) was submitted to the Aquatic Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (ARDL). After preliminary inspection, it was transported to Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine for further evaluation. The specimen was examined using both computed radiography and computed tomography antemortem. Following, humane euthanasia, the specimen was examined both grossly and histologically. Tissues from both fish were also submitted for genetic analysis to determine if twins were derived from the same egg. This report records the presentation and examination of a pair of conjoined hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus X Ictalurus furcatus).