7 A. A. Al-Moussawi & M. K. Mohammad Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. (2011) 11 (3): 7-16 CONTRACAECUM RUDOLPHII HARTWICH, 1964 (NEMATODA: ANISAKIDAE) IN THE CORMORANT PHALACROCORAX CARBO (LINNAEUS, 1758) WINTERING IN BAGHDAD AREA: A NEW HOST RECORD IN IRAQ Azhar A. Al-Moussawi and Mohammad K. Mohammad Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum University of Baghdad, Bab Al-Muadham, Baghdad, Iraq ABSTRACT The ascaroid nematode Contracaecum rudolphii was recovered in large numbers from the digestive tract of Phalacrocorax carbo collected in Baghdad area, Central Iraq. The infection rates of the two sexes of the bird and some meristic and morphometric characters of the parasite that allowed species determination of the nematode Contracaecum rudolphii were discussed. This finding represents a new host record for this nematode in Iraq. Key words: cormorant; Phalacrocorax carbo; Contracaecum rudolphii, nematoda, Anisakidae. INTRODUCTION Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of 134 water birds reported from Iraq (Abed, 2007). It is a wintering bird in suitable water areas almost in whole country (Salim et al. 2006). It is considered as a pest of fish farm by consuming young fishes and fingerlings and may act as final host for some helminthes that use fishes as intermediate hosts (Mhaisen and Abul-Eis, 1992). On the other hand, nematodes of the genus of Contracaecum infect in their adult stages a wide range of piscivorous birds as well as mammalian hosts associated with fresh, brackish, and sea water in many parts of the world, including cormorants, pelicans, and seals (Anderson, 2000). They inhabit the proventricules mostly of Pelicaniformes (Baruš et al. 2000, Al- Zubaidy, 2009) and it was suggested that they contribute to the death of host (Huizinga, 1971). The present study aimed to threw a light on the prevalence and intensity of infection of the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo with Contracaecum rudolphii. MATERIALS AND METHODES Twelve specimens (5 males and 7 females) of the cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo were killed by gun shots during February and March 2010 to the north of Baghdad city, central Iraq. Birds were identified according to Allouse (1961) and (Salim et al. 2006), then immediately examined for parasites, which were removed with the aid of a dissecting microscope (Kruss). The recovered parasites washed extensively in physiological saline, fixed in 70% ethanol, cleared in lactophenol, examined with a compound microscope (Olympus BH). Photos were taken with aid of digital camera. Adult nematodes were identified to species based on the available keys and descriptions (Yamaguti, 1941; York and Maplestone 1962, Amato et al., 2006). All measurements are given in millimeters, unless otherwise stated.