Morphometric analyses of one digenean species from Synodus saurus: Anahemiurus microcercus Manter , 1947 from the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Misurata-Libyan coastal waters

Abstract

Adults of Anahemiurus  microcercus  Manter , 1947 were found in the stomach and intestine of Synodus saurus from the coastal waters of Misurata, Mediterranean Sea, north Libya. Quantitative parasitological examinations were performed on all of the fish samples. The stained, mounted specimens of digenean were identified. Data concerning morphology of this worm was obtained. The morphological data confirmed the validity of this species and showed that specimens identified as A. microcercus  are closely related to specimens of A. microcercus  found in Florida. Out of 96 S. saurus examined, 60 fish (62.50% prevalence) had one digenetic trematodes belonging to the family Hemiuridae. This digenean are recorded here for the first time from the north coast of Libya in the state of Misurata bordering the Mediterranean Sea and in S. saurus, representing a new host record.