REDESCRIPTION OF TREMATODE PARASITES FOUND IN CHANNA PUNCTATA BLOCH, 1793 WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY STUDY

The paper presents a systematic survey of helminth parasites found in Channa punctata from various districts (Nadia, North 24 Paraganas and Hooghly) in West Bengal. Mainly two species of parasites Euclinostomum heterostomum and Clinostomum complanatum have been recorded during the study. Data on their morphology and site of infection are provided. Morphological studies with light and scanning electron microscopic studies as well as molecular studies have revealed some additional morphological details. New features which were observed with scanning electron microscopy in Euclinostomum heterostomum were aspinous and smooth tegument surface, transversely folded areas, absence of spines on both the suckers and presence of crates. Dome shaped papillae with microridges and micropores on the surface of suckers was also observed. Similarly aspinous suckers with papillae on the floor of the ventral sucker was reported in Clinostomum complanatum. All the helminthes have been briefly described and illustrated. The study was done on economically important fishes to establish database of various types of infection caused by helminth parasites.