The occurrence of three species of Trichodina (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) on Cyprinus carpio in relation to culture conditions, seasonality and host characteristics

Abstract

The occurrence of Trichodina mutabilis Kazubski and Migala, 1968, Trichodina acuta Lom, 1961 and Trichodina nigra Lom, 1961 on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) was studied with respect to seasonality, host factors and the culture conditions. The sampling period was between June 1994 and May 1995 in the Sinop region of northern Turkey and a total of 125 common carp were investigated. The overall incidence of T. mutabilis infestation was 80.7% in the farm and 61.7% in the lake, whilst it was 44.8% in the farm and 36.1% in the lake for the collective T. acuta - T. nigra group. Spring was found to be the most favoured season. There was no statistically significant preference of the collective T. acuta - T. nigra group to any of the varieties of common carp or the sex of the host. T. mutabilis also showed similar preferences to the collective T. acura - T. nigra group.