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The present study presents new data on the helminths and helminth communities of fish from the freshwater ecosystem of the Luda Yana River as part of the Maritsa River Basin in Bulgaria, Eastern Aegean Water Basin. In connection with this, 32 specimens of Orpheus dace (Squalius orpheus Kottelat & Economidis, 2006) were collected and examined. The specimens were collected in the autumn of 2022 in the vicinity of the Popintsi village, located in the middle section of the Luda Yana River. The helminthological examination was carried out according to standard methods. Invasion with 3 species of helminths was found - one cestode species (Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider, 1902) Nybelin, 1922); one acanthocephalan species (Acanthocephalus lucii (Müller, 1776) Lühe, 1911) and one nematode species (Rhabdochona denudata (Dujardin, 1845) Railliet, 1916). Ac. lucii is reported for the first time from Sq. orpheus in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period 2019-2021, the helminth fauna of two species of freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, genus Ballerus Heckel, 1843 - white-eye bream (Ballerus sapa (Pallas, 1814)) and zope (Ballerus ballerus (Linnaeus, 1758)) were examined. Six specimens of white-eye bream and one specimen of zope were collected from a total of three biotopes located in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River between 845 and 807 river km. Three species of helminths were found - 2 species of the class Trematoda (Asymphylodora imitans (Mühling, 1898) Looss, 1899; Nicolla skrjabini (Iwanitzky, 1928) Dollfus, 1960)) and 1 species of the class Nematoda (Contracaecum sp. (larvae)). The present study aims to provide new data on the species composition and helminth ecological indices of the two examined fish species. B. sapa is reported as a new host record for the three helminth species in Bulgaria. Koshava biotope is a new habitat for the established helminths in the white-eye bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the autumn of 2022, 37 specimens of Orpheus dace (Squalius orpheus Kottelat & Economidis, 2006) were subjected to helminthological examination. The fish were caught from the lower section of the Chepelarska River (in the area of Katunitsa village). Three endohelminth species were isolated - Acanthocephalus tenuirostris (Achmerov & Dombrovskaja-Achmerova, 1941) Yamaguti, 1963 (class Trematoda), Contracaecum sp., Rhabdochona denudata (Dujardin, 1845) Railliet, 1916 (class Nematoda). The component community and infracommunity of Orpheus dace were reviewed. One core species (Contracaecum sp.; P% = 32.43) was found in the component community of Sq. orpheus. Brillouin's diversity index (HB), Pielou's evenness index (E), and Simpson's dominance index (C) were calculated. The research aims to provide data on the helminths and helminth communities of Orpheus dace from the freshwater ecosystem of the Chepelarska River. The studied biotope (Katunitsa) is a new habitat for the found helminth species of Orpheus dace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents for the first time the Cherna River, southern Bulgaria, Aegean water basin, the results of research on the biological diversity and helminth communities of the Round-scaled barbell Barbus cyclolepis Heckel, 1837. 30 specimens of B. cyclolepis are studied. Infection by 5 species of helminths are found (Allocreadium isoporum (Loos, 1894); Bathybothrium rectangulum (Bloch, 1782); Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781); Capillaria petruschewskii Zeder, 1800; Neoechinorhynchus rutili (Müller, 1780)). The infection indices and the dominant structure of helminth communities are presented. Basic biotic indices are determined. Helminth communities are analyzed at two levels: infracommunity and component community. All established parasite species are autogenous for the helminth communities of the Round-scaled barbell from the freshwater ecosystem of the Cherna River. New data for helminths and helminth communities of B. cyclolepis are presented. The bioindicator significance of helminths and helminth communities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve specimens of northern pike (Esox lucius (Linnaeus, 1758)) were caught from the Maritsa River during 2020- 2021 and examined for parasites. Helminth parasites were found in 50% of the examined northern pikes (6 specimens) from the Maritsa River. Two species of parasites were fixed: one trematode species (Bunodera luciopercae (Müller, 1776)) and one nematode species (Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779)). The dominant structure of the established species is represented at the level of component communities and infracommunities. R. acus is a core species for the component community of Esox lucius from the Maritsa River. B. luciopercae is an accidental parasite species for northern pike helminth communities. The data for the infracommunities were used to determine the basic biotic indices. The bioindicator significance of the established parasite species was discussed for an ecological assessment of the studied river ecosystem. As a result of the conducted research, new data on the parasite fauna of E. lucius from the Maritsa River have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the period 2019-2021, an ecoparasitological study of six fish species - grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes, 1844); silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes, 1844); pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus Linnaeus, 1758); Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782); gudgeon (Gobio gobio Linnaeus, 1758); European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus Bloch, 1782) was conducted. The fish were caught from 3 biotopes (Koshava, Kudelin, Novo selo) from the upper section of the Danube River in Bulgaria. A total of two parasite species (Pomphorhynchus laevis Zoega in Müller, 1776) Porta, 1908 and Contracaecum sp. (larvae) were found in two of the investigated fish species. Four fish species were not infected. The ecological indices (mean intensity; mean abundance; prevalence) of parasites were calculated. Kudelin and Koshava biotopes are new habitats for the found helminth species of the infected fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the period 2019-2021, three fish species of the family Cobitidae, caught from the upper section of the Danube River in Bulgaria, were subjected to ecologohelminthological investigation. Four specimens of Cobitis elongata Heckel & Kner, 1858 (two specimens from Kudelin biotope and two from Koshava biotope); six specimens of spined loach (Cobitis taenia Linnaeus, 1758) (from Koshava biotope) and one specimen of Sabanejewia bulgarica Drensky, 1928 (from Kudelin biotope) are objects of research. The trematode Asymphylodora tincae (Modeer, 1790) Lühe, 1909 was reported for the first time as a helminth of S. bulgarica. The nematode Pseudocapillaria tomentosa (Dujardin, 1845) Moravec, 1987 was reported for the first time as a helminth of C. elongat?. Kudelin and Koshava biotopes are new habitats for the found helminth species. During the helminthological examination of C. taenia, infection with helminths was not found. The study provides new data on helminth fauna and ecological indices (MI, MA, and P%) in the helminth communities of C. elongat? and S. bulgarica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the study of 10 specimens Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758 and 10 specimens Vimba melanops (Heckel, 1837) from the Maritsa River, Aegean water basin, Bulgaria, infection with 5 helminth species are presented (Allocreadium isoporum (Loos, 1894); Proteocephalus percae (Müller, 1780); Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781); Contracaecum sp., larvae and Acanthocephalus lucii (Müller, 1776)). All identified parasite species are autogenous to the parasite communities of the perch and Macedonian vimba, except Contracaecum sp., which is an allogeneic species. Infection indices are discussed and pathways of helminth flux circulation are traced. The dominant structure of the helminth communities was analyzed. New data on the helminths and their communities in the two species of freshwater fish, as well as on the ecological status of the studied biotopes of the freshwater ecosystem are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2019-2021, six specimens of pontic shad (Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835); family Clupeidae were examined for parasites. The specimens were collected from three biotopes (Kudelin, Yasen, and Koshava) located in the section of the Danube River in the northwestern part of Bulgaria. Infection with 3 species of helminths was found - 1 species of the class Trematoda (Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905); 1 species of the class Acanthocephala (Pomphorhynchus laevis (Zoega in Müller, 1776) Porta, 1908) and 1 species of the class Nematoda (Hysterothylacium gadi aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) Deardorff et Overstreet, 1981 (larvae)). Ecological indices of the found helminth species were examined. The purpose of the study is to provide new data on the helminth fauna of the pontic shad from the freshwater ecosystem of the Danube River in Bulgaria. Al. immaculata is a new host for one endohelminth species (L. confusus). Two of the investigated biotopes (Koshava and Yasen) are new habitats for the found endohelminths in pontic shad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first to reveal the helminth fauna and helminth community's structure of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) from Maritsa River, Bulgaria. In 2022, ten Prussian carp specimens were collected from the Maritsa River and examined for parasites. 90% of the studied hosts harbour parasites. Two species of helminths were fixed: one from class Acanthocephala (Acanthocephalus anguillae Muller, 1780) and one from class Nematoda (Pseudocapillaria tomentosa Dujardin, 1843). The established nematode species is distinguished with high prevalence. Carassius gibelio is reported for the first time as a host for Pseudocapillaria tomentosa in Bulgaria. The river ecosystem of Maritsa is a new locality record for Pseudocapillaria tomentosa in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the ecological study of 19 specimens of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio, Bloch, 1782) from Tundja River, by applying standard techniques for parasites, an infestation was found with the acanthocephalan species Acanthocephalus anguillae (Müller, 1780). Helminth parasites were recorded in 5 Prussian carp specimens (26.32%). The established helminth species is autogenic species, matured in fish. In the component community of Carassius gibelio from Tundja River A. anguillae is core species. This study is the first that presents the Prussian carp's endohelminth species biodiversity from Tundja River, Bulgaria. The established in this study parasite species is discussed and compared with previous researches of parasite communities of C. gibelio from Bulgaria. This is the first report of Acanthocephalus anguillae for the helminth communities of Prussian carp for river related to Aegian Basin in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologoparasitological research was done based on the helminths and helminth communities of wels catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) from the freshwater ecosystem of the Tundja, Aegean Water Basin. As a result of the examined seven specimens of wels catfish, three taxa of helminths were found. The dominant structure of the helminth communities was determined. Eustrongylides excisus Jägersiöld, 1909, larvae is a core species for helminth communities of S. glanis (P% = 42.86). S. glanis from the river ecosystem is a new host record for E. excisus. The basic ecological indices of the parasitic populations and communities were determined. The bioindication role of the established parasitic complexes was studied. An assessment of the ecological status of the studied biocenoses was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the summer of 2017, 10 specimens of freshwater bream (Abramis brama (Linnaeus, 1758)) from the Bulgarian part of the Lower Danube River were examined with standard techniques for parasites. Helminth parasites were recorded in 9 freshwater bream specimens (90.00%) from the Danube River. Five species of parasites were identified: one cestode species Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781), two trematode species from family Monorchiidae (Asymphylodora imitans (Mühling, 1898); Palaeorchis incognitus (Szidat, 1943)), one acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis (Zoega in Müller, 1776) and one nematode species Rhabdochona denudata (Dujardin, 1845). All established helminth species are autogenic species, matured in fish. In the component community of Abramis brama from Danube River P. laevis, P. incognitus and R. denudata are core species. A. imitans and C. laticeps are component parasite species for the helminth communities of A. brama. The established in this study parasite species are discussed and compared with previous researches of parasite communities of A. brama from River Danube in Bulgaria. As a result of this study is presented new data for helminths and helminth communities of A. brama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2018, 22 specimens of the round-scale barbell from the Tamrashka River (Bulgaria) were examined for helminths. B. cyclolepis is an endemic fish species of the Maritsa River Water Collection. Five parasite species (Allocreadium isoporum Ergens & Lom, 1970; Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider, 1902) Nybelin, 1922; Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776); Rhabdochona hellichi (Šramek, 1901) Chitwood, 1933; Rhabdochona gnedini Skrjabin, 1948) belonging to four classes and four families were fixed. The Tamrashka River is a new habitat for All. isoporum, C. fennica, P. laevis, Rh. hellichi and Rh. gnedini of B. cyclolepis in Bulgaria. The dominant structure of the parasite communities was discussed based on the level of the component community. The bioindicator role of the studied parasite populations and communities are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, studies on the parasites and parasite communities of Chondrostoma nasus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Danube River, Bulgaria (Koshava and Kudelin villages, Vidin region) were conducted. After ecoparasitological studies of a total of 155 specimens of C. nasus from the two biotopes, eight species of parasites were found: two species of the class Trematoda (Allocreadium isoporum (Looss, 1894), Sphaerostomum bramae (Müller, 1776)), one species of the class Cestoda (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934, immature specimens)), one species from the class Acanthocephala (Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776)) and four species from the class Nematoda (Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779), larvae; Contracaecum sp., larvae; Hysterothylacium sp., larvae; Pseudocapillaria tomentosa (Dujardin, 1843)). The majority of parasite species (seven species) were detected during the spring from biotope Kudelin. The dominant parasite species in all three seasons was the nematode Contracaecum sp. C. nasus was reported as a new host for A. isoporum, S. bramae, B. acheilognathi, R. acus, Contracaecum sp., Hysterothylacium sp., P. tomentosa from the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. New data on the structure of parasite communities of the river freshwater ecosystem were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecoparasitological examinations of brown trout from the Tamrashka River, Aegean Water Basin, Bulgaria were carried out. Five species of helminths, one Trematoda species (Nicolla skryabini (Iwanitzky, 1928) Ślusarski, 1972) and four Nematoda species (Rhabdochona hellichi (Šramek, 1901) Chitwood, 1933; Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779); Salmonema ephemeridarum (Linstow, 1872) Moravec, Santos et Brasil-Sato, 2008; Schulmanela petruschewskii (Shulman, 1948) Ivashkin, 1964) are determined. S. phemeridarum was distinguished with the highest prevalence (50%). It is a core species for the helminth communities of the brown trout from the studied river ecosystem. Sch. petruschewskii is a new parasite species of brown trout and S. t. fario is a new host record for Sch. petruschewskii in Bulgaria. The Tamrashka River is a new habitat for N. skryabini, Rh. hellichi, R. ?cus, S. ?phemeridarum and Sch. petruschewskii as parasites of the brown trout in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During summer 2019, 15 specimens of round-scaled barbell (Barbus cyclolepis Heckel, 1837) and 12 specimens of Orpheus dace (Squalius orpheus Kottelat & Economidis, 2006) from Topolnitsa River were collected and examined with standard techniques for parasites. Helminth parasites were recorded in 9round-scaled barbell specimens (60%) and 7 Orpheus dace specimens (58.33%) from Topolnitsa River. Only one parasite species was identified in both cyprinid fishes -the acanthocephalan species Pomphorhynchus laevis (Zoega in Müller, 1776). Bioindicator significance of established parasite species was discussed for ecological evaluation of the state of the studied freshwater ecosystem. New data for the helminths of round-scaled barbell and Orpheus dace from Topolnitsa River are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2018, studies on the biodiversity and biomonitoring by the biological elements for environmental quality: Squalius orpheus (endemic of Balkan Peninsula) and its helminths and helminth communities were carried out. In 59 specimens of Sq.orpheus, four specimens of intestinal helminths are fixed (Allocreadium isoporum (Kowal et Kulakowskaja, 1957); Caryophyllaeus brachycollis (Janiszewska, 1951); Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776); Rhabdochona denudata (Dujardin, 1845)). P. laevis is distinguished with the highest prevalence and mean intensity (66.10% and 1.85, respectively). A. isoporum, P. laevis and Rh. denudata are core species for the helminth communities of Orpheus dace, while C. brachycollis is a component species. The eutrophication effects on the pathways of the parasitic flow and the structure of the helminth communities were traced. The bioindicator significance of the parasitic complexes was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2018, the first ecologoparasitologycal study of Squalius cephalus from Osym River, a tributary of Danube River, Bulgaria was made. In 20 specimens of examined common chub, 3 species of endohelminths are established (Ichtyocotylurus pileatus (Rudolphi, 1802) Dubois, 1937 Metacercaria; Caryophyllaeus brachycollis Janiszewska, 1951; Rhabdochona denudatа (Dujardin, 1845) Raillet, 1916). C. brachycollis and Rh. denudatа are autogenic species, whereas I. pileatus isallogenic species. I. pileatus is reported for the first time for the freshwater fish fauna of Osym River. Sq. cephalusis a new host record for I. pileatus in Bulgaria. The basic ecological characteristics and biotic indices of the parasite populations and communities are determined. The dominant structure of the endohelminth communities is presented on the level of the component community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first that presents the rudd's (Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus, 1758)) endohelminth species and structure of helminth communities from Maritsa River, Bulgaria. During 2018, 13 specimens of Scardinius erythrophthalmus were collected and examined with standard techniques for parasites from Maritsa River. Helminth parasites were recorded in all 13rudd specimens (100%) from Maritsa River. Three species of parasites were identified: one cestode species (Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)), one acantocephalan species (Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776)) and one nematode species (Rhabdochona denudatа (Dujardin, 1845, Raillet, 1916).The analysis of the dominant structure of the found parasite species is presented to the component level. All established parasite species are core for the component community of Scardinius erythrophthalmus from Maritsa River. The infracommunities data was used to be fixed principal biotic indices. Bioindicator significance of established parasite species was discussed for ecological evaluation of the state of the studied freshwater ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During summer 2018, 29 specimens of bleak (Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758)) from Maritsa River were collected and examined with standard techniques for parasites. Helminth parasites were recorded in 24 bleak specimens (82.75%) from Maritsa River. Five species of parasites were identified: one trematode species (Allocreadium isoporum (Looss, 1984)), two cestode species (Caryophyllaeus brachycollis Janiszewska, 1951, Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)); one acantocephalan species (Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776)) and one nematode species (Rhabdochona denudatа (Dujardin, 1845; Raillet, 1916). The analysis of the dominant structure of the found parasite species is presented to the component and infracommunities level. In the component community of Alburnus alburnus from Maritsa River C. brachycollis, P. laevis and, R. denudatа are corespecies. L. intestinalisis component parasite species and A. isoporum is accidental parasite species for the helminth communities of bleak. The infracommunities data was used to be fixed principal biotic indices. Bioindicator significance of established parasite species was discussed for ecological evaluation of the state of the studied freshwater ecosystem. New data for the helminths and helminth communities of bleak from Maritsa River are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]