Maya Meriem Hassani

• Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 173-178

  Maya Meriem Hassani, S. Ahmed Kerfouf & Nawel Amel Brahim Tazi
  Metoncholaimus sp. (Nematoda Oncholaimidae) pseudoparasite of Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Perciniformes Mullidae) in the western Algerian Sea

  ABSTRACT
  This study was carried out between October 2009 and July 2010 to determine nematode parasites of the red stripped mullet, Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the gulf of Oran (western Algeria), located at 35°43’ N - 0°37’ W. A total of 100 fishes caught from the local fishermen by gill-net were investigated. Our investigation revealed the presence of three nematodes (one female and two males) located in the intestine of two infected fishes, these nematodes were alive and not attached to the mucosa of the fish host. The examination of the nematodes recovered showed that they belong to the genus Metoncholaimus Filipjew 1918 (Oncholaimidae Oncholaiminae). These nematodes are free living mostly in the coastal marine sediment; Mullus surmuletus might acquire them accidentally while either feeding on them or along with other food items taken from the bottom.

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