A new ectoparasitic crustacean, Argulus maharashtrians sp. from Parbhani district (M.S)

Abstract

The most common members of the Branchiura belong to the genus Argulus. It is an ectoparasite of the skin or gill of the fresh water fish species. In the present study, Catfishes (Clarias batrachus and Wallago attu) were taken from Masooli Reservoir with different symptoms or clinical signs such as abnormal swimming, poor growth and death, were examined for ectoparasites. It causes pathological changes due to direct tissue damage and secondary infections. The male and female Argulus parasites collected from the skin and fins of fish and one male specimen is identified asArgulus maharashtrianssp.