Evaluation of parasitic infection in two species of fishes from Euphrates river passing through Al-Muthanna province

Abstract

Inthe present study, 450 fish samples were collectedwhich included225 individuals of Planiliza abu and 225 individuals of Leuciscus vorax during the period from April 2018 to January 2019 from Euphrates River passing through Al-Mahdi area in Al-Muthanna province by using gill nets. The results of the microscopic examination showed a parasitic infection in gills of both sexes of the two fish species with MyxobolussprostoniShul’man, 1962 of the phylum Myxozoa. Thus, these fishes are considered as two new hosts for this parasite in Iraq. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences at the level of P ≤ 0.05 in the percentage of infection between males and females of both species of fish separately, while a significant difference in the percentage of infection in P. abu compared to L. vorax was detected. The percentage of infection of L. vorax with this parasite was decreased with increasing length group for both sexes and the highest incidence of infection was obtained in the age groupIII+, while the percentage of infection increased with increasing length group of P. abu and the highest incidence of infection was obtained in the age groupII+.