Effect of parasite infection with Posthodiplostomum cuticola (Nordmann, 1832) on fish growth rate in Zaringol Stream in Golestan Province

Authors

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of parasite infection with Posthodiplostomum cuticola on fish
growth rate in Zaringol Stream in Golestan Province. A total number of 447 fish specimens (173
Capoeta capoeta gracilis, 111 Alburnoides eichwaldii, 131 Paracobitis malapterura, 32 Neogobius
fluviatilis) were captured by electrofishing during December 2009 to September 2010. Total
number of parasite on fish body was counted by investigating internal organ and surface of skin and
branch. Results showed that slope of regression curves and condition factor were significantly lower
in infected C. c. gracilis. N. fluviatilis was the most abundant infected fish in Zarringol Stream,. It
seems that it's feeding dependence on benthos makes this fish more susceptible to infection by
parasite

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