Anisakis spp. in European hake, Merluccius merluccius (L.) from the Atlantic off north-west Africa and the Mediterranean off southern Spain

We studied the parasitization by Anisakis spp. in European hake (Merluccius merluccius) of 40-52 cm from the Atlantic off north-west Africa and the Mediterranean off southern Spain. Infection parameters differed: The fish from the Atlantic showing a prevalence of 87.97% and a mean intensity of 4.69, while, in those from the Mediterranean, these were 41.27% and 1.73, respectively. In both samples the two-third larval stage types were isolated: Anisakis simplex sensu lato and Anisakis larvae type II, with prevalence of 85.71% and 30.83% in fish from the Atlantic and 41.27% and 1.59% for those from the Mediterranean, respectively. In both samples, the prevalence of larvae in viscera was clearly higher than in the muscle tissue. We also observed an increase in parasitization with increasing host length, those >= 46 cm having the highest prevalences (94.87% for those from the Atlantic and 58.33% for those from the Mediterranean; p < 0.03).