Parasitofauna of some mugilid and soleid fish species from Tunisian lagoons

Abstract

         A parasitological survey of important commercial fish from northern Tunisian lagoons was conducted from May 2009 to April 2010. A total of 771 fish belonging to six species: Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758); Golden mullet (Liza aurata Risso, 1810); Leaping mullet (Liza saliens Risso, 1810) (Mugilidae); Common sole (Solea solea Quesnel, 1806); Egyptian sole (Solea aegyptiaca Chabanaud, 1927) and Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1958) (Soleidae) were examined. The total of 11 parasite species representing 7 genera (from four different phyla) was recorded: Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882; Sphearospora Thélohan, 1892; Zschokkella Auerbach, 1910; Ceratomyxa Théloan, 1892 (Myxozoa); Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1838 (Ciliophora); Amyloodinium Brown & Hovasse, 1946 (Sarcomastigophora) and Solostamenides Unnithan, 1971 (Platyhelminthes). Morphology, site of infection and prevalence of the parasites found during the survey are described.