“Senga Snehalatae Sp. Nov. (Cestoda; Pseudophyllidea), A New Intestinal TapewormfromFreshwater Fish Koradi DamofBuldhana District (MS), India”

Abstract

Senga, a new species of cestode, is described from a freshwater fish that was caught at Koradi Dam. While conductingsystematic surveys in the research area, the parasites were retrieved from the host's intestine. A close look at themorphology showed that the current form differs from previously documented species of the genus due to uniquefeatures in the rostellar hooks, bothria, scolex, and segment organization. Measurements of ovary anatomy, testiculardistribution, and mature and gravid proglottids provide additional evidence for its taxonomic originality. In order todocument diagnostic features, camera lucida illustrations were created. It is confirmed by comparison with other knownspecies that the specimen is a new species of Senga. The discovery highlights the rich but understudied helminthbiodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in Maharashtra. This finding contributes to the knowledge of cestode diversityand host–parasite relationships in Indian freshwater fishes.