The determination of the parasitic fauna of economically important red mullet fish, (Mullus barbatus Ponticus Essipov, 1927) captured in Sinop coasts of the Black Sea, Turkey

In this research study, sixteen different parasites species were identified; three species of Ciliophora (Trichodina domerguei, T. ovonucleata, Paratrichodina obliqua), one species of Microsporidia (Loma sp.), five species of Platyhelminthes including two species of Trematoda (Galactosomum lacteum (metacercariae), Proctotrema bacilliovatum), three species of Cestoda (Scolex pleuronectis (pleurocercoid), Progrillotia dasyatidis, Nybelinia sp.,), six species of Nematoda (Hysterothylacium aduncum, Hysterothylacium fabri, Ascarophis valentina, Capillaria sp., Contracaecum sp., unidentified larval nematode (L2)) and one species of Acanthocephala (Acanthocephaloides irregularis). While Trichodina ovonucleata, Paratrichodina obliqua, Ascarophis valentina are a new parasite records for the parasite fauna in Turkey, Ascarophis valentina is a first record for the Black Sea. Trichodina domerguei, Paratrichodina obliqua, Galactosomum lacteum, Acanthocephaloides irregularis are reported in the Mullus barbatus ponticus for the first time with this research. In addition, Ascarophis valentina, which is frequently reported in the Mediterranean basin, is reported for the first time in the Black Sea. Loma sp. and Nybelinia sp. parasites are seen as candidates with the potential to be new species for parasite fauna in our country. Key Words: Mullus barbatus ponticus, Red mullet, Parasite fauna