Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVI, Issue 2
Written by Mariya CHUNCHUKOVA, Diana KIRIN
Twelve specimens of northern pike (Esox lucius (Linnaeus, 1758)) were caught from the Maritsa River during 2020-2021 and examined for parasites. Helminth parasites were found in 50% of the examined northern pikes (6 specimens) from the Maritsa River. Two species of parasites were fixed: one trematode species (Bunodera luciopercae (Müller, 1776)) and one nematode species (Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779)). The dominant structure of the established species is represented at the level of component communities and infracommunities. R. acus is a core species for the component community of Esox lucius from the Maritsa River. B. luciopercae is an accidental parasite species for northern pike helminth communities. The data for the infracommunities were used to determine the basic biotic indices. The bioindicator significance of the established parasite species was discussed for an ecological assessment of the studied river ecosystem. As a result of the conducted research, new data on the parasite fauna of E. lucius from the Maritsa River have been presented.
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