Published in AgroLife Scientific Journal, Vol. II, Number 1
Written by Diana KIRIN
Biodiversity and ecological particularities of the parasite communities of the northern pike (Esox lucius L., 1758) from the Maritsa River were studied during 2012. Nine specimens of E. lucius were examined with standard techniques for parasites and heavy metal contamination. The purpose of this research is to represent new data for the biodiversity, prevalence, intensity and mean intensity, mean abundance of parasite communities of E. lucius from the Maritsa River. Concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu) in fish (muscle, liver, kidneys and bones), some endohelminth species as bioindicators and bottom sediments were analyzed. The obtained results for the parasite communities of E. lucius correspond and are in close connection with dependence of the biology and ecology of the determined species of helminthes and the place of the intermediate hosts as bioindicators for the status of the studied natural freshwater ecosystems. The results may be applied in the various monitoring systems for assessment and forecast of the Maritsa River condition.
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bioindication