Helminth Fauna of the Endemic Anatolian Fish Species, Caucasian Bleak (Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) from Türkiye

Abstract

Endemic fish species are generally more susceptible to helminth parasites due to their limited geographical distribution and unique ecological niches and they may exhibit increased sensitivity to infections caused by these parasites. Such infections can lead to poor growth of local and endemic species populations. This study was conducted to determine the helminth fauna of Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897, a fish species endemic to Türkiye and commonly known as the Sakarya Bleak fish. A total of 86 specimens were collected from the Seydi River, which flows through the Kırka region of Seyitgazi District, Eskişehir Province, during February, March, and April 2017. Parasitological examinations conducted in the laboratory, where all the organs were examined under a microscope and helminth parasites were recorded, revealed two helminth species: one form Digenea species (Allocreadium isoporum) and one from Nematoda species (Rhabdochona denudata). Both A. isoporum and R. denudata are reported for the first time from A. escherichii in Türkiye. This study contributes to the knowledge of the helminth fauna of Türkiye’s freshwater fishes, providing a critical basis for the conservation of endemic species and the sustainability of ecosystem health.

Keywords

• Allocreadium isoporum
• Rhabdochona denudata
• Türkiye

Türkiye Endemiği Sakarya İnci Balığı, (Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae)’nin Helmint Faunası

Abstract

Endemik türler, sınırlı coğrafî dağılımları ve özgün ekolojik nişleri nedeniyle, helmint parazitlere karşı genellikle daha hassas olup bu parazitlerin neden olacağı enfeksiyonlara karşı artan duyarlılık gösterebilirler. Bu durum yerel ve endemik tür populasyonlarının zayıflamasına sebep olacaktır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’ye endemik olan ve “Sakarya inci balığı” olarak bilinen Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897 türünün helmint faunasını belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. 2017 yılı Şubat, Mart ve Nisan aylarında Eskişehir ili Seyitgazi ilçesine bağlı Kırka bölgesinden geçen Seydi Çayı’ndan elde edilen toplam 86 örnek incelenmiştir. Laboratuvar ortamında gerçekleştirilen parazitolojik incelemeleri sonucunda, bir Digenea türü (Allocreadium isoporum) ve bir Nematoda türü (Rhabdochona denudata) olmak üzere iki helmint türü tespit edilmiştir. A. isoporum ve R. denudata, A. escherichii üzerinde Türkiye’den ilk kez rapor edilmiştir. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’nin iç su balıklarının helmint faunasına dair bilgi birikimini zenginleştirerek, endemik türlerin korunması ve ekosistem sağlığının sürdürülebilirliği açısından kritik bir temel sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Allocreadium isoporum
• Rhabdochona denudata
• Türkiye

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