Investigation of parasitic helminthes in fresh water fishes in higher Zab river in Aski kalak, Erbil, Iraq

Abstract

The microscopical examination of the digestive tract of 994 fishescollected from higher zab river at Aski kalak , Erbil belonging to four families Cyprinidae, Siluridae, Mugilidae and Mastacembelidae showed that they were infected with seven parasitic helminthes four species of cestoides Khawia armeniaca , Bothriocephalus acheilognathi,Senga sp. and Postgangesia inarmata ,one of nematode Procamallanus viviparous and two of acanthocephalans Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis and N. zabensis.The overall percentage incidence of infection of Liza abu and Sliurus triostegus by N.iraqensis were 38.75% and 35.45%,respectively, whereas the percentage infection of Capoeta damascina by N.zabensis was 34.61%.