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Taxonomic summary of Schyzocotyle (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae) with a redescription of Schyzocotyle nayarensis (Malhotra, 1983) from India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2024

J. Marick ,
A. Choudhury ,
T. Scholz ,
R. Biswas  and
A. Ash Open the ORCID record for A. Ash [Opens in a new window]
J. Marick
Affiliation:
Helminthology Laboratory & Molecular Taxonomy Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan–713104, India
A. Choudhury
Affiliation:
Division of Natural Sciences, St Norbert College, 100 Grant Street, De Pere, Wisconsin 54115, USA
T. Scholz
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
R. Biswas
Affiliation:
Helminthology Laboratory & Molecular Taxonomy Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan–713104, India
A. Ash*
Affiliation:
Helminthology Laboratory & Molecular Taxonomy Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan–713104, India
*
Corresponding author: A. Ash; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

In this study, we use an integrative taxonomic approach to redescribe Schyzocotyle nayarensis (Malhotra, 1983) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae), based on newly collected specimens from the type-host Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) in Fulbari, Siliguri, West Bengal, India. The detailed morphological assessment, from whole mounts, histology and scanning electron microscopy, offers additional insights into the scolex structure, vitelline follicles, and egg morphology. Molecular data from this and previous studies corroborate the identity and systematics of S. nayarensis as a bothriocephalid closely related to the Asian Fish Tapeworm, Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934). This study elucidates the historical context and taxonomic ambiguities surrounding S. nayarensis, emphasizing the key role of the scolex in both generic and species identification. Amendments to the diagnosis of Schyzocotyle Akhmerov, 1960 are proposed. A differential diagnosis of the two valid species within the genus, namely S. acheilognathi and S. nayarensis, is also provided. An evaluation of the taxonomic status of Bothriocephalus teleostei Malhotra, 1984, and Capooria barilii Malhotra, 1985 suggests that they may be S. nayarensis. Finally, we posit that none of the ten species of Ptychobothrium Lönnberg, 1889 described from Indian freshwater teleosts belong to this genus but instead appear to be a mix of species belonging to Schyzocotyle, Senga Dollfus, 1934, and possibly even Proteocephalidae La Rue, 1911; all require further study based on newly collected, properly fixed specimens and an integrated taxonomic approach. Finally, future survey studies may reveal hidden diversity of Schyzocotyle species in Indian cyprinoids.

Keywords

integrative taxonomymolecular dataCestodascanning electron microscopy
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 98 , 2024 , e73
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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