Two new and one already known species of the genus Thelohanellus (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) parasitizing fresh water fishes in wetlands of Punjab, India

Abstract

AbstractA study of parasites of freshwater fishes in Harike and Ropar wetlands of Punjab of India revealed the presence of two new and one already known myxozoan species belonging to the genus Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933 infecting gills and caudal fin of two carps and gall bladder of a catfish in the wetlands of Punjab, India. Plasmodia of the first species, T. lamelliformis sp. n. are found infecting primary gill lamellae of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822) vern. thail, spores measure 10.27 × 4.9 μm, are elongate pyriform, tapering anteriorly in valvular view, having truncated anterior end and broad rounded posterior end. Shell valves are stained dark blue (with iron-haematoxylin) in the middle as well as in the posterior part of the spore body. Anteriorly, a prominent bent is present on one side of the shell valve. Polar capsule is broadly pyriform, measures 3.8 × 2.6 μm and is placed in the middle of spore body cavity with a distinct neck leading to the outside. Plasmodia of the second species, T. rohi sp. n. are found infecting caudal fin of Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) vern. rohu, spores measure 14.5 × 7.7 μm, are elongately oval in valvular view having narrow, blunt anterior end with a prominent pore and broad rounded posterior end. A knob-like structure is present at the anterior end of the spore. Inner valve stains dark-blue (with iron-haematoxylin) in the middle and posterior part of the spore body. Polar capsule is oval to spherical in shape, measures 5.5 × 4.7 μm, is placed anteriorly and occupies nearly one third of the spore body cavity. Plasmodia of the third species, T. wallagoi Sarkar, 1985 infect primary gill lamellae of Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1807), spores measure 8.2 × 4.1 μm, are pyriform in valvular view, having bluntly pointed anterior end and rounded posterior end. Parietal folds are absent. Polar capsule is pyriform, measures 3.3 × 1.67 μm, is eccentrically placed with narrow pointed anterior end. Earlier, this species was reported from West Bengal infecting gall bladder of Wallago attu.