Distribution of two monogenean (Gastrocotylidae) from the North Atlantic coast of Morocco

Abstract

During the December 2014 to November 2015, we carried out a study concerning the monogenean parasites of atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in moroccan North Atlantic. A total of 1012 specimens of fishes were sampled from the commercial Fisheries at the port of the Mehdia (Kenitra). 2521 specimens of Gastrocotyle trachuri and 213 specimens of Pseudaxine trachuri were collected from the gills of the horse mackerel.The ecological indexes of infection during that period were calculated as the prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance. For Gastrocotyle trachuri; the prevalence is 51.58%, mean intensity is 4.83, and abundance is 2.49. Whereas Pseudaxine trachuri; we found respectively prevalence is 15.51%, mean intensity is 1.36, and abundance is 0.21. In this study, we also discuss the relation of the fish infection in terms of length and sex. Keywords: Parasites, Monogenea, Gastrocotylidae, Fishes, Atlantic ocean, Morocco