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¹ School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
² School of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v19_2_01 Viewed : 3271 - Downloaded : 3052 This study investigates the infestations and prevalence of apicomplexa-like parasites in marine gastropods from Merambong seagrass bed in Johor Straits, Malaysia. The gastropods were collected during spring low tides, when the seagrass bed exposed. Result showed that the digestive gland and digestive duct were the most infected organs, and no parasite was observed in the gills and general tissues. The conchs (Laevistrombuscanarium and Canariumurceus) displayed highest infestation rates, followed by the volutes, Cymbiolanobilis and Melomelo, and others (Nassariuslivescens and Notocochlistigrina). Furthermore, parasite infestations were significantly higher in prey species (conchs), compared with their natural predator (volutes). This indicated that bio-accumulation across the trophic level was not occurred, and does not involved a terminal host. Further studies are greatly needed for better understanding of the histopathology characteristic of parasite infestation at the study area, which is very important for the sustainable management of the gastropod species. Keywords : Gastropod, Gamont, Sporocyst, Trophozoite, Bacteria-like