First record of some ectoparsites of raja clavata linnaeus, 1758 and mustelus muste (linnaeus, 1758) (elasmobranchs) from tunisian waters

Abstract

The study of 480 fish of Raja clavata (Linnaeus, 1758) and 480 specimens of Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Tunisian coast allowed us to harvest several species of Copepods, Isopods and Monogenea parasites. Indeed, on Raja clavata Linnaeus, 1758, we harvested two species of Isopods (Ceratothoa parallela (Otto, 1828) and Mothocya nana (Schioedte and Meinert, 1884)) and one species of Monogenea (Rajonchocotyle emarginata (Olsson, 1876)). On the other hand, we note for the first time in Tunisia, the presence of Lernaeopoda galei Kroyer, 1837 (Copepod) on this host species. We also note the presence of Anilocra physodes (Linnaeus, 1758) on Mustelus mustelus for the first time in tunisian coasts. In addition, we were able to harvest two species of Copepods Lernaeopoda galei and Kroyeria lineata Van Beneden, 1853 on this same host. The examination of these two chondrichthyan fish revealed that Rajonchocotyle emarginata is the most abundant parasite species on Raja clavata as well as Kroyera lineata on Mustelus mustelus. Detailed reports of each parasite from different geographical locations and diversity of the host species are also provided.