Myxobolus Infections of the Cyprinid Fishes from Lesser Zab and Greater Zab Rivers, North of Iraq with the Record of Seven Species of Myxobolus for the First Time in Iraq

Abstract

 A total of 1453 freshwater fishes, belonging to 14 species of the
family Cyprinidae was collected from Lesser Zab and Greater Zab
rivers in north of Iraq during the period from November 2000 to the
end of November 2001. The inspection of skin, gills and different
internal organs revealed the infection of these fishes with a total of 14
species of Myxobolus which included seven species that represented
their first record in Iraq. These species included M. bulbocordis from
both Barbus sharpeyi and Chondrostoma regium; M. karuni from B
grypus; M. mesopotamiae from B. luteus; M. molnári from B
esocinus; M. pcrsicus from both B. grypus and Cyprinion macrostomum;
M.  Shaagani from both B. barbulus and B. rajanorum and M. sharpeyi from both B sharpeyi
and C. regium. V ith this record, the total number of Myxobolus spp.
in Iraq reached 25 species infecting 31 species of freshwater fishes.