Parasites of the eyes of fresh and brackish water fishes in Iran

Summary In the present investigation a total of six parasite species, some eye-specific and others non-organ specific parasites were found in the eyes of 48 examined fish species, collected from fresh and brackish waters of Iran during 2004-2006. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis was isolated from the external surface of the eyes of Oncorhynchus mykiss, Gyrodactylus stankovici from Cyprinus carpio and Lernaea cyprinacea from Cyprinus carpio and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. In the vitreous humor parasite species were Tylodelphys clavata (metacercaria) observed in H. molitrix, Alburnus alburnus, Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Chondrostoma regium, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Capoeta capoeta, and Ornithodiplostomum sp. (metacercaria) in Aphanius vladykovi. Diplostomum spathaceum (metacercaria) was found in the lens of eyes of 40 out of 48 fish species. Among parasite species identified, Tylodelphys clavata and Ornithodiplostomum sp. are recorded in Iran for the first time. Additionally, the geographical distribution and host range of Diplostomum spathaceum metacercaria is also presented in this study.