MOTHOCYA EPIMERICA COSTA,1851 (FLABELLIFERA: CYMOTHOIDAE), AN ISOPOD PARASITE IN THE BRANCHIAL CAVITIES OF THE BLACK SEA SILVERFISH ATHERINA BOYERIRISSO,1810 (PERCIFORMES, ATHERINIDAE)

01/11/2019 Arda Tonay

Mothocya epimerica Costa,1851 (Flabellifera: Cymothoidae), an isopod parasite in the branchial cavities of the Black Sea Silverfish Atherina boyeri Risso,1810 (Perciformes, Atherinidae)

Ahmet Öktener, Murat Sezgin

University of Ondokuz Mayis, Fisheries Faculty, Division of Basic Sciences 57000 Sinop, TURKEY

Abstract

A new record of parasitic isopod for the Turkish Fauna, Mothocya epimerica Costa, 1851 (Flabellifera: Cymothoidae) is reported from silverfish Atherina boyeri in the Black Sea. The female isopod settles on the fish’s branchial cavities. The characteristic features of Mothocya epimerica Costa, 1851 are given for the first time based on the drawings made from collected specimens.

Keywords: Cymothoid, parasitic isopod, Mothocya epimerica, Atherina boyeri, Black Sea

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