30 August، 2026
A master’s thesis presented by Aya Badr Mohammed Yousif “Diagnosis of Some Parasitic Infections in Ornamental Fish”
Master’s Thesis Defense
A Master’s thesis defense was held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology, entitled “Diagnosis of Some Parasitic Infections in Ornamental Fish.” The thesis was presented by Aya Badr Mohammed Yousif, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Nadia Sultan Mahdi, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The thesis defense committee consisted of the following members:
Prof. Dr. Wasan Amjad Ahmed – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Chair
Prof. Dr. Iman Ghanem Suleiman – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member
Asst. Prof. Dr. Shahbaa Khalil Ibrahim – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member
Prof. Dr. Nadia Sultan Mahdi – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member and Supervisor
External parasites are considered among the major diseases affecting various species of ornamental fish. They may cause mortality directly or indirectly affect their growth and behavior. The current study investigated five species of ornamental fish. The highest infection rate was recorded in goldfish (34%), followed by koi fish (20%), while the lowest infection rates were recorded in molly fish (16%), and guppy and tetra fish (12% each).
The results of the microscopic examination revealed that goldfish were the most heavily infected species compared with the other fish species investigated. They were infected with nine species of parasites, including two crustacean parasites, Argulus and Lernaea; two monogenean parasites, Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus; and five species of external protozoan parasites, namely Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina, Tetrahymena, Chilodonella, and Myxobolus.
The results of the phylogenetic analysis also revealed that six isolates of fish lice belonged to two species, Argulus foliaceus and Argulus japonicus.
Following the student’s confident and scientifically rigorous defense of her thesis and the subsequent discussion by the committee, the thesis was accepted.
Congratulations to the researcher, her supervisor, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Department of Microbiology on this scientific achievement. We wish the members of the defense committee continued success and excellence.
This thesis defense contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
A master’s thesis presented by Sana Luay Salem “Isolation and Identification of Viruses Associated with Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome (YPDS) in Racing Pigeons.”
A master’s thesis presented by Raghad Waad Taher Al Omari “Comparative Molecular Analysis of Canine SDHB Gene Expression and Immunohistochemical Profiles of Adrenal and Renal Tissues from Clinically Normal Dogs”
