Occurrence of Benedenia sciaenae van Beneden, 1856 (Monogenea: Capsalidae) in cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801) (Teleost: Sciaenidae) from western Turkey

An investigation was conducted on the causes of scale loss and severe local lesions on the skin of cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801) reared in net cages in the Mediterranean along the Turkish host. This species is an important alternative species to the sea bass and sea bream in Turkish mariculture. All of the 40 fish examined (mean body weight 5.63 kg SD 0.89 kg, mean body length 91.3 cm SD 3.6 cm) showed numerous monogenean parasites on the area with lesions. The parasite was identified as Benedenia sciaenae van Beneden, 1856 (Monogenea: Capsalidae). The prevalence was 100 % and the mean intensity 227 (SD 77.5) parasites per host. Scanning electron micrographs of the causative parasite are presented. This is the first report of B. sciaenae in Turkey