A new species of genus Paryphostomum Dietz, 1909 (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in Phalacrocorax niger of Pakistan

Abstract

During examination ofrnLittle Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger for the presence of helminthrnparasites, a total of 105 trematodes belonging to genus ParyphostomumrnDietz, 1909 were recovered from intestine of 5 hosts. These trematodes havernlarge, elongated body, reniform head collar equipped with 22 spines, largernacetabulum, oval cirrus sac, anterior testis tri-lobed, spherical ovary, broadrnuterus and prominent lateral vitellaria. These were compared with closelyrnrelated species and found differing from their congeners in number and size ofrncollar spines, acetabulum, uterus and eggs, shape of cirrus sac,rnposition of ovary and position and shape of testes. On the basis of theserndiagnostic differences, a new species Paryphostomum sanghari is proposedrnto accommodate the present worm. Species name refers to the locality of hostrnbird.