MOLECULAR GENETIC IDENTIFICATION OF THE SPECIES RAPHIDASCARIS ACUS (BLOCH, 1779) BELONGING TO THE GENUS RAPHIDASCARIS (ANISAKIDAE: ASCARIDATA)

Anisakid nematodes of the genus Raphidascaris (Railliet & Henry, 1915) are known to be parasites that inhabit the digestive tracts of various types of fish, which can be found in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments across the globe. One notable species within this genus is Raphidascaris acus, which is recognized as a cosmopolitan species. This particular nematode has been reported in association with a diverse range of host species, highlighting its widespread distribution and adaptability. It has recently been demonstrated that numerous nematode species are, in reality, species complexes, as evidenced by precise morphological and genetic investigations. This species acts as a parasite within the digestive systems of fish found in the water bodies of the Khorezm region. This variation can be attributed to the interaction of environmental factors affecting the host and the environment in which the helminth resides. KEYWORDS: Raphidascaris Acus, Male, Female, Nucleotide, Nematode, Genetic Investigations, Morphological.