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Abstract
A new species Episthmium bilqeesae (sp.n.) is described from avian host Egretta garzetta. The new species is characterised by having: different size and shape of the body, number of collar spines (24), size of esophagus, size and position of acetabulum, position of cirrus sac, size of gonads, arrangement and number of vitelline follicles, position of uterine coils and few number of eggs.
Introduction
Variety of birds show trematode infections in their internal organs. The bird Egretta garzetta (Little Egret) belongs to the family Ardeidae, it is a species of small Heron. The little Egret besides the sub-content is found in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It mainly feeds in fish, but also feeds on amphibians, small reptiles, mammals and birds as well as mollusks, insects, spiders and worms. Five birds Egretta garzetta were collected randomly, out of five one was found infected. Five trematodes were collected from bird, these were identified as belonging to the genus Episthmium (Luhe, 1909) and family Echinostomatidae Loss, 1899 and sub family Echinochasminae Odhner, 1910.
Material and Methods
Five birds Egretta garzetta were shot down from Jamshoro District, Sindh, Pakistan at random intervals. The birds were autopsied in the laboratory' for collection of intestinal Helminth parasites. Five specimens of trematodes were recovered from the small intestine of a host. The specimens were thoroughly washed in saline solution to get rid of mucus. Later these were fixed in 70% ethanol. The specimens were gently placed over a clean glass slide, pressed lightly with another slide, tied with thread and placed in F.A.A. solution for twenty four hours. The specimens were stained with Mayer's carmalum, dehydrated in graded series of alcohol, cleared in clove oil, rinsed with xylene and permanently mounted in preserva media. Drawings were prepared with the aid of a Camera Lucida, measurements are given length by width in millimeters and photomicrographs were prepared through Olympus Digital Míicroscope M3C-D at SARC/ PARC, Karachi University campus, 75270. Specimens are deposited in senior author's collection, Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Out of five specimens, three were identified and differentiated as Episthmium bilqeesae sp.n.
Systematic Position
F am i ly : Echinostom ati dae L oss, 1899
Subfamily: Echinochasminae Odhner, 1910
Genus : Episthmium Leihe, 1909
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