Parasitic Infections In Carpet Shell Clams ( <i>Ruditapes decussatus</i> L.) From İzmir Bay Türkiye And Their Seasonal Distribution

This pilot research focused on investigation of the parasites infecting carpet shell clam ( Ruditapes decussatus L.) from İzmir Bay. The sampling material consisted of randomly selected 360 carpet shell clams collected from İzmir Bay during the period between October 2023 and September 2024. Rich parasite fauna was unveiled consisting of one protozoan and five metazoans, respectively a protozoan Ancistrum spp. and metazoans Cercaria tapidis ( Monorchis parvus Looss 1902), Urastoma cyprinae , symbiotic copepod, nematode larva and cestode larva. The most severe pathological impact was observed in the tissues infected with the nematode larvae. There was discernable pattern in seasonal abundances, more parasites encontered in warmer months except the symbiotic copepod which preffered clams as its host in cooler months.