First analysis of digenean populations in Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810), (Teleostei: Carangidae) from the Algerian Coast: New host record for Lecithocladium excisum (Rudolphi, 1819) Lühe, 1901

The primary objective of this study is to describe and analyze the digenean fauna of the greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, in Algeria. To achieve this, a total of 121 specimens of S. dumerili were collected from fi sheries and fi shing ports in different regions off the Algerian coastline. One hundred-eight specimens of S. dumerili were found to be infested, and 7,959 specimens of digenean were collected. Five species belonging to three families were identifi ed. The species involved are Lecithocladium excisum, Parahemiurus merus, Tormopsolus orientalis, Stephanostomum euzeti and Bucephalus gorgon. Tormopsolus orientalis and B. gorgon were recorded for the fi rst time off the Algerian waters. S. euzeti was described for the second time, based on adult worms, since its original description. As for L. excisum, S. dumerili represents a new host record. The data analysis indicated that B. gorgon had the highest values of prevalence (85.95 %), mean abundance (64) and mean intensity (74.46), qualifying it as a core species. Spearman’s correlation test revealed a strong positive correlation between the mean abundance and the mean intensity of S. euzeti, as well as the size of the host. These results provide new insights into the digenean fauna of the greater amberjack, thereby enhancing our understanding of parasitic helminths in teleost fi shes along the Algerian coastline.