Occurrence of Chondracanthus merluccii (Holten, 1802) and Chondracanthus angustatus Heller, 1865 (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) in Turkish Marine Waters

Abstract

The Sea of Marmara being an unique inland sea displays the transitional environment between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. There is limited studies on the parasitic copepods of fish in the Sea of Marmara. Chondracanthus merluccii (Holten, 1802) and Chondracanthus angustatus Heller, 1865 (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) are reported for the first time in Turkey. C. merluccii were found on the upper and under surface of the mouth, upperside of the tongue, through teeth of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius (L.), while C. angustatus on the gill rakers of the stargazer, Uranoscopus scaber L. captured from the Sea of Marmara. Morphological characters of Chondracanthus merluccii and Chondracanthus angustatus were presented with photos. This study contributes new geographical distribution for these parasites.