Abstract
In the present study, the morphology and morphometric characterization of
Dujardinnascaris mujibii
(Heterocheilidae) and
Hysterothylacium aduncum
(Anisakidae), new nematode parasites infecting the sea bream
Pagrus pagrus
(Osteichthyes, Sparidae), were described for the first time from the Gulf of Suez and Hurghada City of the Red Sea, Egypt. Ninety-eight (70 %) and 62 (44.2 %) out of 140 of the examined fish were naturally infected with these nematodes, respectively. The infection was investigated macroscopically by the occurrence of these parasites in the flesh, stomach, intestines, as well as their body cavities as adult and larval stages.
D. mujibii
is characterized by an elongated body with a length of 36.4 ± 3 (23–38) mm (female) and 20 ± 3.0 (17–24) mm (males); the head is provided with three prominent lips each with four teeth like structures and the apical lip is embossed with a regular zigzag pattern as revealed by SEM. Interlabia were present, with prominent grooves. Juvenile stage is smaller than adults and provided with a spiny mucron.
H. aduncum
was small, measured 22.5 ± 2.0 (20.0–24.3) mm in length (female) and 16.3 ± 2.0 (14.5–17.4) mm (male). The head region bears three large lips which were clearly separated from each other, with the apical one having two rounded ends and the space between the two adjacent lips occupied by very prominent interlabia. The present study represents new host and locality records from
P. pagrus
fish in Egypt.