Genc, Ercument2024-09-182024-09-1820070932-01131432-1955https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0547-2https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12483/13133This is the first detailed documented record of Gnathiid isopod praniza larvae infestating dusky grouper, (Epinephelus marginatus Lowe 1834) in the northeast Mediterranean Sea (36 degrees 36 ' N-36 degrees 07 ' E, 35 degrees 52 ' N-36 degrees 25 ' E). Fish were sampled monthly from Iskenderun Bay during a 3-year period from 2000 to 2003 [N=468, W +/- SD (range)= 503.69 +/- 342.35 g (177-2,832 g), TL +/- SD (range)= 32.39 +/- 9.22 cm (16.1-67.0 cm), W-total= 0.213L(total)(2.19), r(total)(2)= 0.85]. Juveniles of the Gnathia sp. were only extracted from the epithelium of the buccal cavity. The monthly and seasonal patterns in infestation rates (mean prevalence, P= 27.35% and mean intensity, MI +/- SD=21.35 +/- 16.19), and the relationship between length-weight and infested/non-infested fish were calculated. This study suggests that gnathiid parasite has no effect on the growth and general health condition of infested fish, although high intensities were observed in fish.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessScanning Electron-MicroscopeReef FishCrustaceaEctoparasiteEcologySerranidaeMortalityAbundanceLarvaeSp.Article101376176610.1007/s00436-007-0547-2174765292-s2.0-34547094796Q1WOS:000248190500037Q3