Anisakis typica (DIESING, 1860), DOMINANT ANISAKID NEMATODE PRESENT IN SHORTFIN SCAD, Decapterus macrosoma (BLEEKER, 1851) FROM TERENGGANU WATERS, MALAYSIA

Anisakid (Anisakis spp.) nematode is a fish-borne parasite that can cause zoonotic disease, Anisakiasis and IgE hypersensitivity in humans. Thus, the ecology and epidemiology of Anisakis nematode are important to control this zoonotic infection. Although Anisakis larvae have been reported in Malaysia, it has not been studied through morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. The objective of this study was to identify the Anisakis species and its infection status in Decapterus macrosoma from Terengganu waters, Malaysia. All Anisakis larvae found were morphologically similar to each other and identified as Anisakis typica. High infection level (P = 100%, M.I. = 23.31±17.26) of A. typica was found in D. macrosoma. There was a bioaccumulation of A. typica in D. macrosoma, showing significant correlation of body weight (p = 0.05) and total body length (p = 0.02) with the amount of A. typica present in D. macrosoma. Interestingly, the gonad was the specific site of infection of A. typica in D. macrosoma, where the intensity of A. typica was significantly (p < 0.003) higher than other visceral organs. Therefore, the migration of A. typica depended on the fatty tissue of the organ.