Survey on ectoparasites of Aphanius sophiae (Cyprinodontidae) from

Objective: To determine the infesation of Aphanius sophiae (A. sophiae) with ectoparasite for the first time from Iran as a little attention has been paid to parasitic infection of A. sophiae which is an native species found in the endorheic Kor River Basin, Fars Province, Southern Iran. Methods: A total of 70 A. sophiae (35 males and 35 females) were collected using dip net in May 2010 from Ghadamgah Spring-stream, Southern Iran. After fixation, the external surface of each fish was examined for ectoparasite through stereomicroscope. Results: Out of 70 fish specimens, two females (2.86%) were infected with three Lernaea spp. copepod or anchor worm. The ectoparasite prevalence rate, intensity and abundance were estimated 2.860, 1.500 and 0.043 respectively. Conclusion: This study reports infestation of A. sophiae by Lernaea spp. for the first time in Iran. Further parasitological investigations a re required to determine ectoparasites of A. sophiae in different parts of Iran due to its importance and numerous epizootics occurring among the most important farmed fish in various parts of the world.