A. SEIFALNASER, BENZEGLAM S, SHWEHDI M, SHAKMAN E.
Tripoli University – Libya
E-mail: shugmanism@yahoo.com
PARASITES OF ALIEN FISHES SPHYRAENA FLAVICUDA
RUPPLELL, 1838 AND SPHYRAENA CHRYSOTAENIA
KLUNZINGER, 1884 IN WESTERN COAST OF LIBYA
Abstract
Fish parasites are considered as a part of marine biodiversity worldwide and it is very important to
know the native and invasive species in Libyan waters to be included in the Libyan marine
biodiversity database. Here we investigate fish parasites in alien barracudas, Sphyraena
flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia, which entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. A total of
46 and 10 individuals of S. flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia, respectively were collected along the
western coast of Libya. A total of seven parasites were identified. The rates of infection in S.
flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia were 46% and 32% respectively, the highest prevalence was 95.7 %
for the D. cazauxi and the lowest prevalence was 4.35% for the Contracaecum type III in S.
flavicauda., Moreover, the highest prevalence in S. chrysotaenia was 70% for Halacarus sp. and
the lowest prevalence was 30% for Diplectanum dunanchae. D. cazauxi and D. dunanchae are
monogeneans, belonging to the family Diplectanidae. These results provide a first assessment of the
parasitofauna of alien barracudas in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap of knowledge on the
biological and ecological trait of these Lessepsian fishes.
Key-words: classification, fish parasites, Lessepsian fish and Libya
Introduction
Marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean have changed at an alarming rate over the past
two centuries, due to the human-mediated arrival of new species (Rilov and Galil, 2009).
Marine organisms serve as hosts for various parasites and other pathogens, which can
negatively affect the host population but also the food chain, with socio-economic
implications (Lessios, 1988). This study aimed to investigate parasites associated to alien
barracudas and assess their origin (donor region -Red Sea vs Mediterranean).
Material and methods: A total of 56 fishes were collected by local fishers along the
western coast of Libya and the study was focused on metazoan parasites. The parasites
examination was carried out according to Heil (2009).
Results
The rates of infection in S. flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia were 46% and 32% respectively.
A total of seven parasites was identified. Their prevalence, intensity and abundance are
given in Table. 1.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
123
Tripoli University – Libya
E-mail: shugmanism@yahoo.com
PARASITES OF ALIEN FISHES SPHYRAENA FLAVICUDA
RUPPLELL, 1838 AND SPHYRAENA CHRYSOTAENIA
KLUNZINGER, 1884 IN WESTERN COAST OF LIBYA
Abstract
Fish parasites are considered as a part of marine biodiversity worldwide and it is very important to
know the native and invasive species in Libyan waters to be included in the Libyan marine
biodiversity database. Here we investigate fish parasites in alien barracudas, Sphyraena
flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia, which entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. A total of
46 and 10 individuals of S. flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia, respectively were collected along the
western coast of Libya. A total of seven parasites were identified. The rates of infection in S.
flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia were 46% and 32% respectively, the highest prevalence was 95.7 %
for the D. cazauxi and the lowest prevalence was 4.35% for the Contracaecum type III in S.
flavicauda., Moreover, the highest prevalence in S. chrysotaenia was 70% for Halacarus sp. and
the lowest prevalence was 30% for Diplectanum dunanchae. D. cazauxi and D. dunanchae are
monogeneans, belonging to the family Diplectanidae. These results provide a first assessment of the
parasitofauna of alien barracudas in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap of knowledge on the
biological and ecological trait of these Lessepsian fishes.
Key-words: classification, fish parasites, Lessepsian fish and Libya
Introduction
Marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean have changed at an alarming rate over the past
two centuries, due to the human-mediated arrival of new species (Rilov and Galil, 2009).
Marine organisms serve as hosts for various parasites and other pathogens, which can
negatively affect the host population but also the food chain, with socio-economic
implications (Lessios, 1988). This study aimed to investigate parasites associated to alien
barracudas and assess their origin (donor region -Red Sea vs Mediterranean).
Material and methods: A total of 56 fishes were collected by local fishers along the
western coast of Libya and the study was focused on metazoan parasites. The parasites
examination was carried out according to Heil (2009).
Results
The rates of infection in S. flavicauda and S. chrysotaenia were 46% and 32% respectively.
A total of seven parasites was identified. Their prevalence, intensity and abundance are
given in Table. 1.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
123