Survey of parasitic infection of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in Aras Reservoir (west Azerbaijan)

Objective: The parasitic fauna of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca, Linnaeus 1758) was studied during autumn 2005 to summer 2006. Method & Materials: Totally 240 specimens in different sizes from Aras Reservoir in North –west of Iran was investigated. All fish were taken alive. They were dissected directly after being brought to the laboratory, close to catching place. The following organs were surveyed, external organs (eyes, skin, fins and gills) and internal organs (body cavity, liver, swim bladder, heart, and intestinal lumen). Results & Conclusion: According to results of this survey 6 parasite species including two Trichodina spp from gill and Vorticella sp on skin are the only Protozoan parasites which were recorded. Other parasites found included Gyrodactylus sp from the gills, Diplostomum spathaceum (metacercaria) from the lens of eyes and Argulus foliaceus from the gills where recovered and identified to genus and species level. Epidemiological survey elucidate that prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity of parasites species found were highly influenced by seasons of the year. The highest prevalence was seen in trichodiniasis caused by Trichodina sp1 in summer while lowest infection occurred by Gyrodactylus sp in autumn. Most parasites species live in gills and skin, where is highly sensitive to parasites species ides (Trichodina spp, Vorticella sp and Argulus foliaceus). In the present paper parasitic fauna of Sander lucioperca from Aras Reservoir are reported and morphological description of new Trichodina sp2 and presented for the first time in Iran. Furthermore, most parasite system of pikeperch in Aras reservoir in comparison with other lentic and lotic environment (Anzali lagoon, Sefid Rud-river) are discussed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sander lucioperca ، parasites fauna ، Aras Reservoir ، Trichodina