New Host Records For Trichodinid Protozoans, Trichodina heterodentata and T. pediculus (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) from Turkey

In this study, we aimed, certain ornamental fish which the members of Cichlidae including the electric yellow (Labidochromis caeruleus), powder blue cichlid (Pseudotropheus socolofi), electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) and the members of Poecilidae including yucaten molly (Poecilia velifera), white molly (Poecilia sphenops) were examined for ectoparasitological. Six hundred fish samples collected from a commercial farm December 2013 through November 2014. Microscopical examination of the smear preparations prepared skins and gill lamellae of them showed Trichodina sp. (Ehrenberg 1831) ciliates. When trichodinids observing, Klein’s dry silver method was used to confirm the adhesive disc. Results showed numbers of radial pins and size of denticle span of Trichodina pediculus were different from those of T. heterodentata. The body diameter of T. pediculus was 55-70 (57,6 ± 1,03) μm and the body diameter of T. heterodentata was 50-60 (54,72 ± 0,52) μm. Width of the adhesive disc diameter was 38-49 (44,78 ± 0,47) μm for T. pediculus and was 34-49 (44,85 ± 0,51) μm for T. heterodentata. The affected fish did not show up unusual behavior or external clinical findings. Trichodina pediculus and T. heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) are informed for new hosts at first time in this study