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Objective: The aim of this study was to study the pathophysiological effects on Channa punctatus due to the nematode parasite Eustrongylides sp., Methods: A total of 250 fish were examined during the period January 2012-2014. Hematological, serum biochemical, histological, and scanning electron microscopic studies were performed on normal and infected hosts to study the effects caused by the nematode., Results: The mean values of red blood corpuscle [RBC] count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin were significantly higher (P<0.01) in noninfected fish, while the values of white blood corpuscle [WBC] count, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], and mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH] were significantly higher (P<0.01) in infected fish. In infected fish, the average values of aspartate amminotransferase [AST] (416 UL-1), alanine amminotransferase [ALT] (73.35 UL-1), alkaline phosphatase [ALP] (161.6 mg dl-1), and cholesterol (154.82 mg dl-1) were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those in noninfected fish. Significant differences were also observed in total protein and glucose levels between the infected and noninfected fish. Histological and scanning electron microscopic studies of the host tissues revealed a series of pathological changes and mechanical damage., Conclusion: It can be concluded that Eustrongylides sp. has a significant impact on its host and thus the parameters outlined in the present paper may be employed as tools in monitoring the health status of fish in culture practices.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a description of a new haemogregarine, Haemogregarina sundarbanensis n. sp., from mud turtles collected from Sundarban regions, West Bengal, India., Methods: The turtles were collected from fish markets near Canning, South 24-Parganas District, West Bengal. Thin blood films were prepared using the blood drawn from the head and feet. The blood films were then air-dried, fixed in absolute methanol, and stained with Giemsa., Results: The erythrocytic stages could be differentiated into small and large forms. The young gamonts measured 7.896×3.469 μm, microgamonts measured 8.876×4.425 μm, and macrogamonts measured 8.919×4.272 μm. The cytoplasm of the macrogamonts was stained deep blue with Giemsa, and many metachromatic granules are found uniformly distributed. The oval or rounded nucleus was central in position and stained deep red with Giemsa stain, whereas in microgamonts, the nucleus was not at all compact but with a few dispersed chromatin granules., Conclusion: The prevalence of infection was found to be 33.3% (5/15). The infected erythrocytes reveal shape alteration, marginal and atrophic nucleus, and were larger than non-parasitized erythrocytes. The cytoplasm of the infected erythrocytes stained darker than that of the uninfected erythrocytes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate Haemogregarine parasites (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) of freshwater turtles (Lissemys punctata andersoni, Geoclemys hamiltonii) of India., Methods: Turtles were collected by net from two ponds of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A small amount of blood was taken from the subcarapacial vein puncture site. The blood smears were prepared and air dried and fixed in absolute methyl alcohol. The slides were stained with Giemsa., Results: Haemogregarine parasites were recorded from the erythrocytes of turtles. Multiple stages of intraerythrocytic gametocytes (microgametocytes, macrogametocytes, early schizonts and mature schizonts) were observed in blood films., Conclusion: It was found that only twenty out of the twenty five turtles (80%) were infected with the parasite. The prevalence rate was higher in larger turtles in comparison to smaller ones. It was also found that female turtles had a higher prevalence of infection than males.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the gill filaments of Labeo bata in India parasitologically and to describe the new Myxozoa parasite species, Myxobolus leafa sp. nov., which was determined., Methods: Fish were collected alive from fish farms from Manipur (India). Sporogonic plasmodia were removed with sterile forceps and observed under phase contrast microscope. For permanent preparations, air dried smears were stained with Giemsa after fixation in acetone free absolute methanol., Results: Mature spores of the new species appear as leaf-like structures in valvular or frontal view, tapering at both ends. The anterior end of the spore is broader than the posterior end. Spores measure 15.3-11.8 μm (16.91 ± 1.16) in length and 13.6-15.3 μm (14.15 ± 0.67) in breadth., Conclusion: The new gill parasite species, Myxobolus leafa sp. nov., was described from fish in India. The prevalence of the parasite was 3.3% and two stages (cyst and spore) of the parasite existed in its life cycle.

Objective: Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines of earthworms revealed a new species under the genus Rhynchocystis Hesse, 1909., Methods: The species has been obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Metaphire peguana. The parasite was identified using standard methodology., Results: Gamonts are solitary, elongated with a conical, enlarged head and blunt posterior end. The mature gamont measures 419.90- 430.95 (425.05±4.70) μm in length and the width at the widest portion is 44.2-50.83 (47.88±2.85) μm and 15.47-17.68 (16.50±1.14) μm in the posterior end. The nucleus is elongated and positioned at the posterior end. The nucleus measures 17.68-22.01 (19.74±1.95) μmx11.05- 15.47 (13.40±1.95) μm. The measurement of the mucron is 13.26-17.68 (15.47±1.86) μmx17.68-22.1 (19.44±1.71) μm. Gametocysts are ovoid with two unequal sized gametocytes. The gametocyst measures 95.03-97.24 (96.20±1.14) μmx77.35-81.77 (79.56±1.86) μm. Large and small gametocytes measure 57.46-61.88 (59.81±1.76) μmx70.72-75.14 (72.48±1.71) μm and 30.94-37.57 (34.47±2.74) μmx61.88-66.3 (64.38±1.84) μm respectively. Oocysts are biconical, measuring 11.05-15.47 (12.81±1.71) μmx6.63-8.84 (7.70±1.20) μm., Conclusion: A new gregarine parasite species is described.

Objective: Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines revealed a new species under the genus Nematocystis Hesse, 1909., Methods: The species has been obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Eutyphoeus nicholsoni (Beddard)., Results and Conclusion: Gamonts of this species are solitary and bear a perfect nematoid appearance with smoothly curved terminals, especially in mature forms. Mature gamonts measure 245.40-302.66 (270.68±18.86) μm in length and 20.45-26.58 (24.54±2.10) μm in width. Nucleus is rounded or slightly ovoidal, 20.45-24.54 (22.69±1.74) μm in diameter. Gametocysts are almost rounded, measuring 77.71-85.89 (82.82±2.69) μm in diameter. Oocysts are navicular, measuring 7.70-8.47 (8.24±0.36) μm x 4.23-4.62 (4.50 ±0.18) μm.

A biodiversity survey of aseptate gregarines in earthworm hosts in the Calcutta district of West Bengal State revealed the existence of a new species of aseptate gregarine under the genus Monocystis Stein, 1848. The monocystid gregarines obtained from the earthworm host, Eutyphoeus quaripapillatus Michelsen, 1907 have been identified as a new species. The mucron was indistinct. The gamonts are elongated, ovoid, have a hood like structure at the anterior end and measure 150.1-212.4 (188.1+/-2.1) micromx66.1-112.1 (72.3+/-1.1) microm. The gametocysts are ellipsoid and measure 92.3-136.3 microm (111.2+/-2.1)x78.3-114.4 microm (82.6+/-3.6) microm. Prominent syzygy was apparent. Oocysts are navicular, measuring 14.1-22.3 (18.1+/-3.2) micromx9.1-15.2 (11.9+/-1.1) microm.

A new species of Henneguya parasitizing tissues affected by the ulcerative disease syndrome of a freshwater fish Anabas testudineus (Bloch) from Khiodum and Pumlen lakes of Manipur state is described. Of the fishes examined 75% were found to be infested with this myxozoan parasite. Mature spores of the new species are elongated, biconvex, and oval with bluntly rounded anterior end and gradually tapering posterior end with a caudal prolongation, measuring 12.6-15.4 (14.0+/- 1.1) microm in length. Length of the caudal prolongation is 11.2-12.6 (11.7+/- 0.6) microm. The width of the spores is 5.6-7.0 (6.3+/- 0.5) microm. The length of the polar capsules is 5.6-6.3 (5.5+/- 0.3) microm.

A survey aimed at exploring the endoparasitic acephaline gregarine diversity in South-western Bengal, detected a new species of the genus Monocystis Stein, 1848, that resides in the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Apporectodea trapezoides Duges collected in the district of Bankura from alluvial soil. Monocystis apporectodae sp. nov. is a ribbon-like organism with one or more prominent constric-tions especially in some mature forms and measures 178.0-224.0 (203.0+/-5.0) microm x 37.0-58.0 (46.0+/-1.5) microm. The extreme ends are pointed. Its gametocysts are ovoid and measure 108.0-118.0 microm (113.0+/-1.1) x 79.0-89.0 (83.0+/-1.1) microm. Oocysts are navicular in shape. The length of the oocysts ranges from 10.0-14.6 and the width, from 5.5-8.1 microm.

Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines revealed a new species of the genus Monocystis Stein, 1848 in the seminal vesicles of the earthworm Metaphire houlleti (Perrier) residing in alluvial soil of the district of North 24 Parganas. The new species is characterized by having bean-shaped gamonts measuring 94.0-151.0 (119.0+/-16.0) microm x 53.0-81.0(66.0+/-8.0) microm. The anterior end of the gamont is always wider than the posterior end. The mucron is always present at the wider end. The occurrence of syzygy (end to end, cauda-frontal) is a very rare feature which has been observed in the life cycle of the new species. The gametocyst is ovoid consisting of two unequal gamonts, measuring 85.0-102.0 microm (93.0+/-6.0). Oocysts are navicular in shape, measuring 6.5-11.0 (9.0+/-1.1) microm x 4.0-7.5 (5.5+/-1.9) microm.

As a part of an ongoing biodiversity survey of aseptate gregarine fauna of oligochaete hosts of West Bengal, an expedition was carried out in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal and most of the earthworms collected were found to be infested with a species of Monocystis Stein, 1848. The monocystid species was collected from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm and was identified as a new species, Monocystis amynthae sp. nov. The gamont of the new species is characterized by having an elongated body with broad anterior end, separated from the narrow posterior end by a prominent constriction measuring 49.0-77.0 (66.0+/-1.3) microm x 32.0-41.0 (37.0+/-2.8) microm. The gametocysts are oval-shaped, measuring 40.0-65.0 (58.0+/-2.1) microm. The oocysts are navicular, measuring 8.0-12.0 (10.5+/-1.1) microm x 4.0-6.0 (5.5+/-1.1) microm.