First record of three hosts infected by the plerocercoid of Otobothrium penetrans Linton, 1907 (Cestoda : Trypanorhyncha)‎ in Khor Ummia, Arabian

الملخص EN

Three different stages in the development of the plerocercoid larvae of the trypanorhynch cestode Otobothrium penetrans Linton, 1907(two plerocerci and one post larva) were described from the various sites of needlefishes.

First and second stages of plerocercoid found in the muscle, body cavity, gas bladder, kidney and some time in the heart of the yellow spot tail needlefish Strongylura strongylura, banded needlefish Strongylura leiura hound needlefish, Tylosurus crocodilus and flat needlefish Ablennes hians, while the post larva found only in intestine of S.

leiura.

All needlefishes except T.

crocodilus consider new hosts record to Otobothrium penetrans in the world.

No monthly pattern was observed either in prevalence of infection or mean of intensity except clear peak in mean intensity of infection in S.

leiura during July (77) and T.

crocodilus during October (75).

Both the prevalence of infection and mean of intensity were increased from smallest fish length less than 200 mm until 500 mm and then the infection was decreased in the largest fish length more than 500 mm of S.

strongylura.