Sphaerospora elegans Thelohan, 1892 and Myxobilatus gasterostei Davis, 1944 (Phylum: Myxozoa) infections in the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., 1758 in Turkey

Abstract

Sphaerospora elegans Thelohan, 1892 and Myxobilatus gasterostei Davis, 1944 infections in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L., 1758) were studied from January to May 2000. Infection prevalence and intensity values were determined for mixed infections to be 26.5% and 3+ (0-5) parasites per fish, respectively. These values for each species were also determined. While infection prevalence and mean intensity values for S.elegans were 11.9% and 3+ (0-5), they were 17.9% and 3+ (0-5), respectively, for M. gasterostei. The existence of both parasites species in relation to the sex and length classes of the fish were determined and the infection interactions with these factors as well as some environmental factors are discussed. S.elegans and M. gasterostei represent two new parasite records for Turkey. This is also the first study on myxosporeans performed in brackish and freshwater conditions in the same environment.