Abstract

Sixty-one of Nile perch, Lates niloticus collected from Damietta branch of River Nile at Dakahlia Province from January 2012 to February 2013 were macro–and microscopically examined for the presence of ectoparasitic protozoa. Fifty-two fish specimens (85.2%) were found to be natural hosts of nine ciliates: six species of scyphidians; Ambiphyra ameiuri, Ambiphyra sp., Scyphidia globularis, S. doliaris, Scyphidia mansouriensis n. sp. and Scyphidia sp.; two of amphileptids; Amphileptus niloticus n. sp. and Amphileptus sp. and only one tetrahymenid; Tetrahymena sp. All parasites were recorded for the first time from the host Lates niloticus in Egypt. Scyphidia globularis and S. doliaris were not recorded before from any fish kind in Egypt. Furthermore, Amphileptus niloticus and Scyphidia mansouriensis were described as two new species. Detailed descriptions of all parasites were presented.

Key words: Ambiphrya; Scyphidia; Tetrahymena; Amphileptus, Lates niloticus