Ectoparasites of native cyprinid Barbus haasi: first record of Trichodina acuta and Trichodina fultoni in Iberian catchments

Parasitological studies of wild freshwater fish in Iberia are needed to provide baseline data for management strategies, but the conservation status of many species means application of non-lethal sampling procedures is mandatory. A survey of Iberian redfin barbel (Barbus haasi) from five Mediterranean streams in north-eastern of Spain using mucus scrapings revealed the presence of Trichodina acuta, T. fultoni and Gyrodactylus spp. with prevalences of 35-60%, 8%, 2-50% and densities of 54-197, 42-89, 2-50 parasites/mm(2) on fish skin, respectively. Biometrics of the trichodinid species are provided, and we discuss the potential application of trichodinids as eutrophication bioindicators in these rivers.