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Zouhir Ramdane

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 889-894

    Zakia Hadjou, Zouhir Ramdane, Naouel Amel Brahim Tazi, Amel Bellal & Mustapha Charane
    Effect of parasitism on the length/weight relationship and the condition index in two groups of Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1826) (Perciformes Sparidae), parasitized and unparasitized specimens, from the Eastern Coast of Algeria

    ABSTRACT
    In the present study, the relationship between parasitism and some host biological parameters is studied for the first time in Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1826) (Perciformes Sparidae) from the eastern coast of Algeria. This study is carried out on 111 specimens, examined between April 2013 and March 2014. Parasitofauna of P. acarne is rich and various; 373 parasites belonging to different parasite groups are reported. Eleven parasite species are identified: 3 Digenea, 1 Isopoda, 3 Monogenea and 4 Nematoda, with the predominance of Nematoda (more than 50%). Our results reveal that mean intensity increases with the length of the host and varies from 4 to 8 parasites by infested host. The comparison of some biological parameters (length/weight relationship and the Fulton condition index K) does not show significant differences between parasitized and unparasitized specimens. These results allow us to deduct that P. acarne from the eastern cost of Algeria is not affected by parasitism despite the important parasite infestation.