Four new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater snail, Bithynia (Digoniostoma) pulchella (Benson, 1836) in Malabar, Kerala.

ABSTRACT: The present paper describes four new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater gastropod, Bithynia (Digoniostoma) pulchella (Benson, 1836) collected from Malabar, Kerala. Cercaria sp. XXII Malabar n. sp. has a spinose body and tail; four pairs of penetration glands; short, narrow oesophagus; a pair of short, unequal caeca; bicornuate excretory vesicle and 18 pairs of flame cells. Cercaria sp. XXIII Malabar n. sp. is characterized by an oval, spinose body; aspinose tail; dagger-shaped stylet; medially fused virgula; globular pharynx; short oesophagus; three pairs of penetration glands; bicornuate, 'V'-shaped excretory bladder, and 18 pairs of flame cells. Cercaria sp. XXIV Malabar n. sp. has a spinose body and tail, medially fu

SUBMITTER: Sanil NK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6667514 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature