Prevelance of the parasitic copepod Acanthochondria diastema Kabata, 1965 in wild populations of the southern sand flathead, Platycephalus bassensis

Key Points

• High prevalence of Acanthochondria diastema was found in wild populations of Platycephalus bassensis.
• Infected individuals showed significant parasitic impact on host health and condition.
• Analysis of fish samples from various locations was conducted to assess the distribution of this copepod.
• Understanding this prevalence highlights the need for monitoring ecological impacts in marine ecosystems.