The occurrence of Ligula sp. in Capoeta trutta, in Dez Dam Lake (Dezful, Iran)

Objective: Ligula sp. is a pseudophyllidean cestode which in its plerocercoid stage infects a range of freshwater fish species, particularly members of the Cyprinidae, as its second intermediate host and it has a widespread distribution throughout the northern hemisphere. This study, reports the occurrence and prevalence of Ligula sp. in Capoeta trutta in Dez Dam Lake (Dezful, Iran). Method & Materials: In April 2008, a cyprinid fish host, tovini or Capoeta trutta, was investigated for infection with Ligula sp. in Dez Dam Lake (Dezful, Iran). In this study, totally 43 fishes were investigated for the presence of Ligula sp. plerocercoids. Results & Conclusion: 2 plerocercoids of this parasite were found in one fish. The prevalence value was 2.33% of the whole fish sample. The total length of this fish was 17.8 cm and its weight was 70 g. The length of these parasites were 17.8 and 14.1 cm. Only investigated the parasitization parameters of Ligula infection such as mean intensity, prevalence and parasitic index in tench. The presence of L. intestinalis plerocercoids was shown by many researchers to be associated with certain pathological effects in the fish host. These pathological effects mainly include the inhibition of gonadal development in the fish host.