PROTOZOAN PARASITES OF GILTHEAD SEA BREAM, SPARUS-AURATA L, FROM DIFFERENT CULTURE SYSTEMS IN SPAIN

In a parasitic survey of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L., culture d in different systems in Spain, eight protozoan species were found. E ctoparasites included two ciliates (Trichodina sp. and a Cryptocaryon- like species), one dinoflagellate (Amyloodinium sp.) and the zooflagel late Ichthyobodo sp. Endoparasites were represented by members of the Apicomplexa (Eimeria sp.) and Myxosporea (Polysporoplasma sparis, Cera tomyxa sp. and Leptotheca sp.). Ichthyobodo sp., Eimeria sp., Ceratomy xa sp. and Leptotheca sp. are reported for the first time in S. aurata . Amyloodimium sp. and Ichthyobodo sp. were associated with outbreaks of disease in larval and juvenile fish. Data on prevalence and intensi ty of infection and the location in the host are provided. The potenti al importance of these protozoan parasites for gilthead sea bream cult ure is discussed.