Cryptobia acipenseris and Haemogregarina acipenseris infections in Acipenser guldenstadti and A. persicus in the Southern part of the Caspian Sea

Abstract

A parasitological investigation on the blood of acipenseridae fish in the southern part of the Caspian Sea (Iran) from 2000-2002 was undertaken. Altogether, 60 specimens were examined. The fishes included to this study are considered as Acipenser persicus (Persian Sturgeon, 20 specimens), Acipenser guldenstadti (Russian Sturgeon, 20 specimens) and Acipenser stellatus (20 specimens). During this study two blood protozoa were revealed: Cryptobia acipenseris, and Haemogregarina acipenseris.The specimens were collected by gill net from a fishing station located at Anzali. The characteristics of the fishes were recorded and the collected materials were examined in fresh and stained preparation. The prevalence of infection was also studied. This is the first record of Cryptobia acipenseris and Heamogragarina acipenseris in Russian and Persian sturgeons (New host) in the southern part of the Caspian Sea (Iran). All fish specimens examined during this study were collected from their natural environment. Heamoflagellates were found in different sturgeon without any pathological effects, but in the intensive farming of Sturgeons, Haemogragarina acipenseris may lead to severe infections and may cause anemia which decreases the productivity of the farm.