Description of eight nematode species of the genus Hysterothylacium Ward et Magath, 1917 parasitized in some Iraqi marine fishes

Abstract

Eight species of nematodes, genus Hysterothylacium Ward et Magath, 1917 were described from eight species of marine fishes (five bony fishes and three sharks). Fishes were collected from north west of Arabian Gulf at Khor Al-Ummia during the period from July 2004 until June 2006. H. reliquens (Norris et Overstreet, 1975) were found in three fish species (Cynoglossus arel, Lethrinus nebulosus and Trichiurus lepturus) which considered as new hosts to this parasite. Juvenile male of Hysterothylacium sp. from Drepane longimana which representes a new host record in the world. Also six species of third larval stages vis Hysterothylacium sp. type BA from C. arel, Acanthopagrus latus, Chiloscyllium arabicum and Sphyrna mokorran; Hysterothylacium sp. type BB and Hysterothylacium sp. type BC from both C. arel and C. arabicum; Hysterothylacium sp. type BD from C. arel; Hysterothylacium sp. type BE from Rhizopriodon acutus and Hysterothylacium sp. type BF from Tylosurus crocodilus. All these parasites were recorded and described for the first time in Iraq. All fish hosts were considered as new hosts to their parasites (3rd larval stage nematodes).