Protozoan from freshwater fishes from North West of Iran

Abstract

During a parasitological investigation on the fresh water fishes of North West of Iran (West Azerbaijan Province), 266 specimens of 11 fishes were examined. Fishes were collected from seven stations from Aras, Zangbar and Sarysou Rivers between summer 2001 to summer 2002. Nine protozoan species were detected; eight Cilliophora and one Rhizopoda. Cilliophora are: Chilodonella sp < em>., Apiosoma sp.,Vorticella sp. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina perphorata, Amphileptus branchiarum, Tetrahymena pyriformis, Stylonchia pustulata, and the Rhizopoda species is Arcella vulgaris. Results show that five of those species are for the first time being reported from Iranian fresh water fishes.