LIGULA INTESTINALIS (L., 1758) INFECTION OF EURYHALINE FISH THE SAND SMELT ATHERINA BOYERI RISSO, 1810

Abstract

Ligula intestinalis was found during the parasitological investigations of Atherina boyeri specimens collected from Hirfanlı Reservoir, Turkey. It was found that 0.004% of all individuals were infected by L. intestinalis including 2 female (0.0011% of all individuals) and 5 male (0.0028% of all individuals). It was determined that the length-weight relationship equivalents of infected individuals with the population differed from those of non-infected individuals. The b value of the infected individuals was found to be lower than the b value of the non-infected individuals. It is thought that the results obtained in this study will be beneficial in preserving and improving the ecological potential of the water system.