Taxonomic Characterization of a New Circumoncobothrium Species (Cestoda) from Channa striata Collected at Koradi Dam, Buldhana District (MS) India

Abstract

The present investigation describes a new species of cestode belonging to the genus Circumoncobothrium Shinde, 1968,recovered from the intestine of the freshwater fish Channa striata Bloch, 1793, collected from Koradi Dam, DistrictBuldhana (M.S.), India, four mature specimens were collected, processed using standard parasitological techniques,stained with acetocarmine and Harris hematoxylin, and examined under a compound microscope. Detailedmorphological and morphometric analyses were carried out for taxonomic identification. Comparative analysis with allpreviously described species of Circumoncobothrium reveals distinct differences in scolex morphology, number ofrostellar hooks, number and arrangement of testes, structure of ovary, and configuration of vitellaria. On the basis ofthese consistent morphological differences, the present form is established as a new species, Circumoncobothriumgawaii sp. nov., named in honor of the author’s surname.
This study contributes to the growing knowledge of cestode diversity in freshwater fishes of India and expands thetaxonomic record of the genus Circumoncobothrium.