METAZOAN PARASITES OF THE TENCH (TINCA TINCA L.) FROM LAKE ULUABAT, TURKEY

This study investigates the presence of metazoan parasites on tench (Tinca tinca L.) in Lake Uluabat, Turkey. Data were obtained from on-site surveys carried out between April 1998 and January 2000. Six parasite species were identified: Dactylogyrus macracanthus Wegener, 1909; Asymphlodora tincae (Mooder, 1790); Acanthocephalus lucii (Muller, 1787); Ergasilus sieboldi Nordmann, 1832; Argulus foliaceus Linne, 1758; and Piscicola geometra Linne, 1758. Of these species, three were found on gills of the tench: D. macracanthus (prevalence 15.0%; mean intensity 12.10 ±7.39), A. foliaceus (4.2%; 2.67 ±1.51), E. sieboldi (32.1%; 53.88 ±33.96); P. geometra was found on the skin (1.4%; 1.00 ± 0.00); A. lucii in the intestine (2.8%; 1.75 ± 0.58) and A. tincae in the gut and intestine of the host fish specimens (26.4%; 87.70 ± 108.31). In addition, the density of parasite species was determined according to season as well as according to size of the host fish.