The Trematode Parasites of Lophius piscatorius (Angler Fish) from the Aegean Sea

OBJECTIVE: There is no study on the trematode parasites of Lophius piscatorius. The aim of this study is to address the lack of knowledge about the parasites of angler fish from the coasts of Turkish seas. METHODS: Frozen individuals of L. piscatorius from the coasts of Izmir were brought to Ataturk University, and their visceral organs were parasitologically investigated. Parasites were fixed with AFA (Acetic acid-Formaline-Alcohol) fixative and permanently mounted with Canada balsam. RESULTS: Two digenean species were recorded: Prosorhynchoides gracilescens (Bucephalidae), which is commonly found in L. piscatorius, and Aphallus tubarium (Cryptogonimidae), which is rarely harbored in L. piscatorius. CONCLUSION: Both species comprise the newly discovered parasite fauna of Turkey.