Larval anisakids (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea) in horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) from the fish market in Granada, Spain

Abstract

 Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) from the fish market in Granada, southern Spain, were surveyed for anisakid nematodes. The fish came from fishing ports all over the country. Larval anisakids were found in 39.4% of the fish examined; 26.1% were infected with third-stage larvae (L3s) of Anisakis simplex; 0.3%, with A. physeteris L3s; 31.1%, with Hysterothylacium aduncum L3s; and 1.7%, with fourth-stage larvae (L4s) of Hysterothylacium sp. Horse mackerel from Mediterranean Sea coastal ports (South and Southeast Spain) had the lowest levels of infection, and those from Cantabrian Sea coastal ports (North Spain) had the highest. The variation in infection levels with host size (age) and season of capture are surveyed.