Preliminary survey on parasite fauna of pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces, Teleostei, Centrarchidae) from warm-water discharge canal of the "Pomorzany" power plant in Szczecin, Poland

Abstract

A total of 103 pumpkinseed sunfish L. gibbosus was surveyed for parasites. Fourteen parasite species representing six higher taxa were recovered. Of the fish examined, 72.8 % were found to harbour parasites. The most prevalent were glochidia of Unio sp. (43.7 %) and metacercariae of Diplostomum sp. (38:8 %). Findings of Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus, Tylodelphys clavata, Ergasilus sieboldi and Caligus lacustris constitute new host records. None of the species found, poses a human health threat.