biostudies-literatureSanil NKCouncil of Scientific and Industrial Research368-378https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6667514biostudies-literatureUnknown43(3)The present paper describes four new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater gastropod, <i>Bithynia</i> (<i>Digoniostoma</i>) <i>pulchella</i> (Benson, 1836) collected from Malabar, Kerala. <i>Cercaria</i> 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. <i>Cercaria</i> 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. <i>Cercaria</i> sp. XXIV Malabar n. sp. has a spinose body and tail, medially fuJournal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for ParasitologyFour new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater snail, <i>Bithynia</i> (<i>Digoniostoma</i>) <i>pulchella</i> (Benson, 1836) in Malabar, Kerala.PMC6667514--Sanil NKJanardanan KPfalseFour new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater snail, <i>Bithynia</i> (<i>Digoniostoma</i>) <i>pulchella</i> (Benson, 1836) in Malabar, Kerala.The present paper describes four new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater gastropod, <i>Bithynia</i> (<i>Digoniostoma</i>) <i>pulchella</i> (Benson, 1836) collected from Malabar, Kerala. <i>Cercaria</i> 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. <i>Cercaria</i> 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. <i>Cercaria</i> sp. XXIV Malabar n. sp. has a spinose body and tail, medially fu2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Sep2025-04-04T11:18:35.244Z2020-09-05T07:11:41ZS-EPMC66675143140640110.1007/s12639-019-01100-y