New host and distribution records for three species of

This is the first record of dactylogyrid parasites from the endemic fish species, Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897 in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to define the dactylogyrid specimens of A. escherichii from Sarısu stream. A total of 216 individuals of A. escherichii were collected from Sarısu stream between winter (February) and autumn (September) 2023 with seasonal intervals (one sample per season) and screened for the presence of dactylogyrid parasites infections. It was determined that 57 A. esherichii were infected by one or more dactylogyrid parasite specimens (overall prevalence 26.3%). A total of 3 species of dactylogyrid parasites were identified on the gills: Dactylogyrus fraternus Wagener, 1909, Dactylogyrus alatus Linstow, 1878 and Dactylogyrus minor Wagener, 1857. D. fraternus was found to be the dominant parasite species in host fish species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in the world on dactylogyrid parasites of A. escherichii. The host fish represents a new host record for each of the collected dactylogyrid parasite specimens. Furthermore, the present study provides the first record of D. minor in Turkish freshwater fish.