title: Occurrence of the Leech, Pontobdella muricata Linnaeus, on Elasmobranch Species in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea.
abstract: This study provides a parasitological analysis of the elasmobranch species caught in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Sixty-two marine leeches were recorded on 747 individuals of Raja clavata Linnaeus, 1758 (thornback ray), Myliobatis aquila Linnaeus, 1758 (common eagle ray), and Torpedo marmorata Risso, 1810 (marbled torpedo ray) caught in 56 hauls over a 5 yr period. All leeches were identified as Pontobdella muricata, which is a typical ectoparasite of benthic elasmobranchs. The prevalence of infection ranged from 7.11% on R. clavata to 12.00% on M. aquila. The intensity of infection, the preferential sites of attachment to the host, and the periodicity of infection were evaluated.
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Bolognini
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Leoni
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Polidori
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Grati
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Scarcella
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: Pellini
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Domenichetti
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Ferrà
authors: Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Gianna
authors: G
authors: Fabi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000469:parasitology*; D014101:Torpedo / Q000469:parasitology*