Host range and specificity of Clinostomum complanatum (Rudolphi, 1819) in Caspian basin of Iran

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of infection with metacercariae of Clinostomum complanatum in selected fish species in the Caspian Sea as well as its geographical distribution. Method & Materials: In total, ten fish, including Hemiculter leucisculus and Perca fluviatilis, were collected from Southern Caspian Basin and were examined for infection with trematode metacercariae. Metacercariae were collected in 0.6% saline solution, then fixed in 90% ethanol, washed in 70% ethanol and stained with alum hematoxyline. Metacercariae were identified based on the morphological characters in available keys. Results & Conclusion: C. complanatum (metacercaria) was found on the gills of Hemiculter leucisculus and on the gills and skin of Perca fluviatilis inhabiting in Anzali Lagoon. Both these fish species are new intermediate hosts in the region for the parasite, suggesting that C. complanatum (metacercaria) is not only specific to cyprinid fish and can infect non cyprinids as well. Host range and specificity of this parasite will be discussed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Clinostomum complanatum ، Anzali Lagoon ، Metacercaria ، Hemiculter leucisculus ، Perca fluviatilis