Parasitofauna of some mugilid and soleid fish species from Tunisian lagoons

In Tunisia, mugilid and soleid fish species are among the most important resources of the Tunisian lagoons. These fish are of great economic value and they are highly valued for their flesh. Some species of mullet from Tunisian waters, especially Mugil cephalus and Liza ramada, have been found to be infected with several myxosporean species, all of which belonging to the genus Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882: M. mülleri Bütschli, 1882; M. ramadae Bahri, 1997; M. exiguus Thélohan 1895 infecting L. ramada and M. bizerti Bahri & Marques, 1996; M. ichkeulensis Bahri & Marques, 1996; M. episquamalis Egusa, Maeno & Sorimachi, 1990; M. spinacurvatura Maeno, Sorimachi, Ogawa & A parasitological survey of important commercial fish from northern Tunisian lagoons was conducted from May 2009 to April 2010. A total of 771 fish belonging to six species: Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758); Golden mullet (Liza aurata Risso, 1810); Leaping mullet (Liza saliens Risso, 1810) (Mugilidae); Common sole (Solea solea Quesnel, 1806); Egyptian sole (Solea aegyptiaca Chabanaud, 1927) and Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1958) (Soleidae) were examined. The total of 11 parasite species representing 7 genera (from four different phyla) was recorded: Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882; Sphearospora Thélohan, 1892; Zschokkella Auerbach, 1910; Ceratomyxa Théloan, 1892 (Myxozoa); Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1838 (Ciliophora); Amyloodinium Brown & Hovasse, 1946 (Sarcomastigophora) and Solostamenides Unnithan, 1971 (Platyhelminthes). Morphology, site of infection and prevalence of the parasites found during the survey are described.