Larval anisakids parasitizing the blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, from Motril Bay in the Mediterranean region of southern Spain

A total of 301 blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou Risso, 1826, ranging in length from 17 to 28 cm, from Motril Bay (Mediterranean coast, south Spa in) were examined for anisakid nematodes, as these fish are common items in the Spanish Mediterranean diet. Three anisakid species were morphologicall y identified with a total prevalence of 10.63%. Anisakis simplex s.l. Rudol phi, 1809 had a prevalence value of 6.65%, compared with 2.66% for A. physe teris Baylis, 1923 and 2.33% for Hysterothylacium aduncum Rudolphi, 1802. V ariations in prevalence values with season and host size are discussed. All ozyme markers (leucine aminopeptidase-1) were used to identify anisakid nem atodes assigned to the A. simplex complex and all examined larvae were foun d to correspond genetically to A. pegreffii Nascetti et al., 1986.