Occurrence and intensity of Parasites in Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio, from Anzali Wetland, southwest of the Caspian Sea, Iran

In this survey, 54 specimens of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected from Anzali Wetland between August 2011 and July 2012. After recording biometric characteristics, routine necropsy and parasitology methods were used. Totaly, 3165 individuals of parasites were isolated and identified from common carp. Parasitofauna consisted of 10 species as follows: two protozoans, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Trichodina sp.; two digenean trematodes, Diplostomum spathaceum and Posthodiplostomum sp.; two monogenean trematodes, Dactylogyrus extensus and Diplozoon nipponicum; two crustaceans, Lernaea cyprinacea and Argulus foliaceus; one cestode, Caryophyllaeus fimbriceps and one nematode, Raphidascaris acus larvae. D. extensus had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, dominance and abundance. The abundance of Trichodina sp. and C. fimbriceps in the age class of > 2 years old were significantly greater than that in the younger age classes. L. cyprinacea (copepodid stage) and C. fimbriceps showed the greatest abundances in summer and autumn, respectively. Trichodina sp. and L. cyprinacea (copepodid stage) showed significantly greater abundances in the eastern parts of the wetland compared with abundances of other stations.