Prevalence and pathology of Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea: Lernaeidae) parasitizing tadpoles of Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae) in Antalya, Turkey

Abstract

Prevalence and pathology of Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea: Lernaeidae) parasitizing tadpoles of Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae) in Antalya, Turkey. This is a report of the frst record of the occurrence of Lernaea cyprinacea on tadpoles of Pelophylax bedriagae, a frog species native from Karpuzçay Creek, Antalya, Turkey. A total of 20 tadpoles of P. bedriagae were examined and 14 (70%) specimens were infected. A maximum of two parasites per host was found, primarily around the cloaca. In general, slight to moderate hyperemia was noticed around the parasite. Typically, granuloma form in the tissues around the parasite. Histopathological examination revealed that hemorrhages and pathological lesions such as dermal erosions, and a chronic infammatory reaction in skin and muscle were present at the site of parasite attachment.

Keywords

• Anchor worms
• disease
• parasitic copepods
• parasitism