Notocotylid Trematodes of Wild Birds in Türkiye: A Morphological Study With New Country Records.

BACKGROUND

The family Notocotylidae, established by Lühe in 1909, comprises trematode species characterized by the absence of a ventral sucker and pharynx, as well as by the presence of elongated filaments at the poles of their eggs. Members of this family primarily parasitize waterfowl, although infections have also been reported in some mammalian hosts.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of notocotylid trematodes in wild birds inhabiting aquatic environments in Türkiye.

METHODS

A total of 57 birds representing 21 species were examined to assess the Notocotylidae trematode fauna in Türkiye. All birds were collected from the Kızılırmak Delta, a major wetland area supporting diverse avian species.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Parasitological examinations revealed the presence of Notocotylus skrjabini, Paramonostomum alveoelongatum, and P. alveatum in Aythya ferina; Notocotylus attenuatus, P. alveatum, and P. bucephalae in Netta rufina; and N. attenuatus in Rallus aquaticus. All recovered species were morphologically described, photographed, and illustrated. Notably, this study constitutes the first record of N. skrjabini, P. alveoelongatum, P. bucephalae, and P. pseudoalveatum in Türkiye.