Metazoan parasites of <i>Otolithes ruber</i> (Perciforme: Sciaenidae) of the Persian Gulf off Hendijan Region, Iran

Abstract

Totally, 110 fish specimens were seasonally caught by gill net and hook from summer 2013 to spring 2014. Parasites were <i>Diplectanum </i> spp. (Monogenea); <i>Erilepturus hamati,</i> <i>Stephanostomum </i> sp., <i>Pleorchis </i> sp. and <i>Prosorhynchus </i> sp. (Digenea); <i>Philometra otolithi,</i> <i>Dichelyne spinigerus</i> and <i>Hysterothylacium</i> sp. (Nematoda); <i>Parabrachiella otolithi</i> (Copepoda); and <i>Gnathia </i> sp. (Isopoda). No significant differences were found among the parasites analyzed with respect to the sex of the host except in digeneans. There were significant differences in parasites abundance among different seasons. No significant correlation was found between parasites abundance and total length of fish.