Study on the helminth parasites in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in the southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea (2010-2012)

Despite the importantance of fish helminthic infestation due to economic losses and public health threats, our knowledge is limited in its extent. This study was done on 30 Acipenser persicus breeders caught in the southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea (Guilan Province) from April through June 2010-2012 to identify the parasitical fauna and prevalence, intensity and dominance of these parasites. On capture biometry was performed on the brood fish and all parameters were recorded. The breeders were examined for the presence of wounds and macroscopic parasites. The digestive tract of the fishes was removed and transferred to the laboratory of Parasitology of the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Parasites found were removed and stored in 10% formalin solution for identification following methods used by Stoskope (1993). Standard statistical computations were carried out using SPSS and Excel. Four types of internal helminth parasites were identified in A.persicus brood fishes caught in each year that include, Cucullanus sphaerocephalus Rudolphi 1809, Skrjabinopsolus semiarmatus Molin 1858, Eubothrium acipenserinum Cholodkovsky 1918 and Leptorhynchoides plagicephalus Westrumb 1821. It is evident from the results obtained that Cucullanus sphaerocephalus and Skrjabinopsolus semiaramtus showed the highest prevalence and highest mean infection intensity in the Persian sturgeon breeders under study. Sum of dominance of these two parasites in 2010, 2011 and 2012 was 99.2%, 97.75% and 99.35%, respectively. Based on the results, More studies should be done to determinate the helminthic infestation and hazards of zoonotic diseases.

کلیدواژه ها:

helminth parasites ، Persian sturgeon ، Acipenser persicus ، Caspian Sea