Helminth parasites (Plathelminthes) of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Iznik Lake

Abstract

Occurrence of plathelminth parasites of common carp in Iznik Lake was investigated monthly from February 1995 to January 1996. A total of 145 common carp were caught and 115 specimens of host were infected with 3 species of plathelminth parasites: Dactylogyrus extensus (Monogenea), Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Cestoda) and Bothriocephalus acheilognathi (Cestoda). The dominant parasite species D. extensus was occurred on host gills throughout the year. Total prevalence of D. extensus was 69.7% This species was the most prevalent found in fish and the infection was the highest in May. C. laticeps was the second dominant parasite in this study. A total of 740 parasites were found and no parasite specimens was found on fish form July until November. The infection rate was the highest in March. And total prevalence of C. laticeps was 29%. B. acheilognathi was found in 18 of the 145 fish examined. Fifty fish containing a total of 293 parasites were found. B. acheilognathi infection rate was the highest during Autumn and Summer (especially in June) and the lowest during Spring. The total prevalence was 12.4%. Intensity, seasonal changes of the parasite species are discussed in detail.