A master's thesis defense was held at the College of Marine Sciences, University of Basra, for student Asim Ahmed Younis. The thesis, titled "A Morphological and Molecular Study of the Cancer-Associated Parasite Portunus pelagicus and Molecularly Characterized," took place in the graduate studies hall at the College of Marine Sciences at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The examining committee consisted of the following professors:

Prof. Dr. Khalida Salem Khudair / Chair

Prof. Dr. Ali Abdul Hamza Obaid / Member

Assistant Professor Dr. Raghad Zaidan Khalaf / Member

Prof. Dr. Abdul Hussein Hatem Ghazi / Member and Supervisor

Assistant Professor Dr. Nadia Ali Hussein / Member and Supervisor

The thesis included an ecological and taxonomic study of the most important parasites affecting the Portunus pelagicus crab, which was molecularly diagnosed. The parasites were Octolasmis cor, Octolasmis warwickii, and Octolasmis angulata. The presence of the crustacean Amphibalanus amphitrite was also recorded on the dorsal region.

Summer was characterized by the highest incidence of parasites, while winter had the lowest. The effect of these parasites on the crab was studied through histological examination of the gills and comparison of infected and uninfected individuals. This study is distinguished by the fact that all these parasites are being recorded for the first time on this type of crab in Iraqi marine waters.

After a thorough scientific discussion and the student's defense of his thesis, it was approved with distinction.