Community Composition of Parasitic Nematodes of Cyprinion Macrostomum from North and Mid West Regions In Iraq

The present study was undertaken to investigate the community composition and the infection patterns of parasitic nematodes among preserved Cyprinion macrostomum specimens (n=50) which were collected previously from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers at two different regions in Iraq (North region and Midwest region). Ninety-four nematodes (adults and late stage larvae) were counted from fish specimens. The overall prevalence of Rhabdochona spp. nematodes found highest among examined fishes (n=19, 38%). Prevalence of Rhabdochona spp. (adults and larval stages) differed significantly between fishes from North region and fishes from Midwest region. Only two Rhabdochona species nematodes were found prevalent among examined fish included Rhabdochona denudata and Rhabdochona tigridis. Both adult stages of Rhabdochona denudata and Rhabdochona tigridis showed significant differences in their prevalence between Midwest region and North region. Fish from Midwest region showed higher prevalence (42.9%) for each Rhabdochona denudata and Rhabdochona tigridis compared with to north region. Mean intensity did not differ significantly between fishes from North and Midwest regions for Rhabdochona denudate and Rhabdochona tigridis.