Abstract

Objective: To focus on the description of the Anisakis simplex (A. simplex) parasites of Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Atlantic coast of Mehdia (Kenitra, Morocco) from December 2014 to November 2015. Methods: A total of 1 012 Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) obtained from commercial fishing were performed autopsy for their parasitic Nematoda. Then 6 695 specimens of A. simplex were collected from their abdominal cavity. These parasites were attached on different organs particularly on ovaries and testes. All parasites were counted, measured and photographed under microscopy. Results: The infection levels of fishes by larval A. simplex are expressed by prevalence (35.28%), mean intensity (18.75) and abundance (6.6). The effect of parasitism did not show a significant negative impact on the condition of the examined fishes. Conclusions: Significant positive correlations were found between host length and A. simplex occurrence, and abundance. The variation observed in the infection levels was discussed within the seasons and climatic change.

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