Ummey Shameem

The present investigation is undertaken to understand the cause of the sudden mass mortality of Spot-billed Pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis) that have mixed colonies with Painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) at Bird Migration Site, Telineelapuram Village, Tekkali Mandal, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh. Post-mortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a single pelican was conducted along with the faecal analysis of both birds using Mac Master floatation technique. The infected proventriculus of pelican was studied histopathologically. Adult nematode parasites collected were identified and described using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Faecal analysis of 25 birds (15 pelicans and 10 storks) showed 100% prevalence of infection. Post-mortem revealed very high parasite burden with as many as 1967 parasites in four stages i.e. 316 third larval stage (L3), 652 fourth larval stage (L4), 573 immature adult and 426 mature adult nematode parasites. These nematodes were found attached to mucosal surface of the proventriculus, obstructing the lumen, causing haemorrhages and revealing some histoarchitectural changes at the histopathological level. Adult parasites were identified as Contracaecum species i.e. C. micropapillatum and C. multipapillatum. This is the first record of Contracaecum species in the proventriculus of a wild spot-billed pelican at Srikakulam District. Overall, the present study alerts the occurrence of sudden mass mortalities in migratory birds like pelicans and storks due to heavy infections and stresses the importance of implementing timely preventive measures to safeguard the avian fauna.

Birds in a free environment carry huge risk of helminth parasite infections affecting the health of poultry and thereby indirectly leading to great economic loss. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, intensity and species diversity of gastrointestinal helminth parasites (GIH) of country chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) from local chicken markets of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 300 gastrointestinal tract (GIT) samples were examined from January to December 2021 and the collected parasites were separated, counted, identified and statistically analysed. The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 87% with an intensity of 139.29. The study showed high prevalence with mixed infections (66%), whereas the prevalence with individual groups i.e. cestodes, nematodes and trematodes was found to be 83.00%, 70.33%, and 0.67% respectively. Altogether 10 parasite species were identified viz. Raillietina echinobothrida being the most dominant with a prevalence of 72.67%, followed by Raillietina tetragona (62.00%), Heterakis gallinarum (59.33%), Ascaridia galli (45.33%), Davainea proglottina (43.00%), Amoebotaenia cuneata (42.67%), Raillietina cesticillus (38.33%), Hymenolepis sp. 1 (36.00%), Cotugnia spp. (29.67%) and the least was Hymenolepis sp. 2 (21.00%). In month-wise data, highest prevalence was recorded in July (100%), and the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer (90%), followed by monsoon (87%) and winter (84%). No major significant difference in prevalence was noted between males (88.51%) and females (85.53%). Hosts with high body temperature and low GIT pH levels showed increased prevalence and parasite intensity.

During a survey on monogenean parasites of clupeiform fishes of Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal, apart from typical mazocraeids, 6 species of nonmazocraeids, including two new species were encountered. These belonged to 5 genera distributed over 4 families: Family Gastrocotylidae: Engraulicola thrissocles from Thryssa mystax, T. setirostris, T. malabarica; Engraulicola longisomum n.sp. from Thryssa mystax, T. setirostris, T. malabarica; Pellonicola elongatus from Ilisha filigera; family Megamicrocotylidae: Megamicrocotyle chirocentrus from Chirocentrus dorab; family Microcotylidae: Microcotyle clupei n.sp. from Thryssa mystax and T. setirostris; family Diclidophoridae: Keralina opisthopterus from Opisthopterus tardoore. Engraulicola longisomum n. sp. differs from E. thrissocles in the larger body size, in the relatively smaller size of haptor and also in the number of clamps and alignment of reproductive organs. Microcotyle clupei n.sp. the first species of the genus to be reported from clupeiform fishes differs from other species of the genus, mainly in the presence of a circlet of spines on the oral sucker. Descriptions are provided for all the species collected. Megamicrocotyle johnstoni is synonymized with M. chirocentrus.

Birds in a free environment carry huge risk of helminth parasite infections affecting the health of poultry and thereby indirectly leading to great economic loss. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, parasite intensity and species diversity of gastrointestinal helminth parasites (GIH) of country chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) from local chicken markets of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 300 gastrointestinal tract (GIT) samples were examined from January to December 2021 and the collected parasites were separated, counted, identified and statistically analysed. The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 87% with an intensity of 139.29. The study showed high prevalence with mixed infections (66%), whereas the prevalence with individual groups i.e. cestodes, nematodes and trematodes was found to be 83.00%, 70.33%, and 0.67% respectively. Altogether 10 parasite species were identified viz. Raillietina echinobothrida being the most dominant with a prevalence of 72.67%, followed by Raillietina tetragona (62.00%), Heterakis gallinarum (59.33%), Ascaridia galli (45.33%), Davainea proglottina (43.00%), Amoebotaenia cuneata (42.67%), Raillietina cesticillus (38.33%), Hymenolepis sps. 1 (36.00%), Cotugnia sps. (29.67%) and the least was Hymenolepis sps. 2 (21.00%). In month-wise data, highest prevalence was recorded in July (100%), and the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer (90%), followed by monsoon (87%) and winter (84%). No major significant difference in prevalence was noted between males (88.51%) and females (85.53%). Hosts with high body temperature and low GIT pH levels showed increased prevalence and parasite intensity. The present study helps in laying better health and disease management strategies for country chicken.

To determine the LC 50 value of lead nitrate, Labeo rohita were exposed to different concentrations of the heavy metal through static assay method. LC50 value was calculated by employing Probit analysis and its acute toxicity was found to be 851mg/L. The acute toxic effect of lead nitrate on serum biochemical parameters of Labeo rohita were studied through 96-hour acute toxicity assay. Significant alterations were noticed in serum biochemical parameters viz. Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, and enzymes like Serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). There was an increase in the mean values of total protein, albumin, globulin, SGOT, SGPT and ALP in lead nitrate exposed fishes when compared to the control fishes, but fluctuations were noticed in the ALP mean values.

Coprological studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth (GI) parasites in domestic ruminants from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India, were carried out for a period of one year from January 2019 to December 2019. Fecal examination was done using direct smear, sedimentation and floatation methods. Altogether 3527 fecal samples were examined including 595 from cows, 485 from buffaloes, 1342 from sheep and 1105 from goat. Out of 3527 fecal samples examined, 1084 were found to be positive with three groups of gastrointestinal parasites (GI) showing an overall prevalence of 30.7%. Maximum infection was noted with nematodes (39.1%) and trematodes (37.3%), least infection was noted with cestodes (3.5%) and mixed infections were found to be moderate (20.01%). Host wise prevalence of parasitic infection has shown highest in the case of cattle recording 43.03%, followed by 40.8% in buffaloes, 29.4% in sheep, and 21.4% in goats. Total six varieties of parasites were recorded, the predominant being Haemonchus (Strongyle group) (29.25%), followed by Paramphistomum (25.5%), Fasciola (11.9%), Strongyloides (7.6%), Moniezia (3.5%) and Trichuris (2.2%). Season wise data on prevalence showed, high rate of infection in summer season (32.0%) when compared to winter (30.2%) and rainy (29.9%) seasons. Further studies are needed to design a rational for sustainable management of GI parasite infections in domestic animals of local regions.

Coprological studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth (GI) parasites in domestic ruminants from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India, were carried out for a period of one year from January 2019 to December 2019. Fecal examination was done using direct smear, sedimentation and floatation methods. Altogether 3,527 fecal samples were examined including 595 from cows, 485 from buffaloes, 1342 from sheep and 1105 from goat. Out of 3,527 fecal samples examined, 1084 were found to be positive with three groups of gastrointestinal parasites (GI) showing an overall prevalence of 30.7%. Maximum infection was noted with nematodes (39.1%) and trematodes (37.3%), least infection was noted with cestodes (3.5%) and mixed infections were found to be moderate (20.01%). Host wise prevalence of parasitic infection has shown highest in the case of cattle recording 43.03%, followed by 40.8% in buffaloes, 29.4% in sheep, and 21.4% in goats. Total six varieties of parasites were recorded, the predominant being Haemonchus (Strongyle group) (29.25%), followed by Paramphistomum (25.5%), Fasciola (11.9%), Strongyloides (7.6%), Moniezia (3.5%) and Trichuris (2.2%). Season wise data on prevalence showed, high rate of infection in summer season (32.0%) when compared to winter (30.2%) and rainy (29.9%) seasons. Further studies are needed to design a rational for sustainable management of GI parasite infections in domestic animals of local regions.

Four species of Mazocraeoides Price, 1936 including two new species are recorded from clupeiform fishes collected from Visakhapatnam Coast, Bay of Bengal: M. rotundus n. sp. from Ilisha filigera, M. fusiformes n. sp. from Stolephorus indicus, M. prashadi Chauhan, 1950 from Sardinella longiceps and M. dussumieri Mamaev, 1975 from Dussumieria hasselti. Mazocraeoides rotundus n. sp. is differentiated from the previously described species of Mazocraeoides by possessing the following combination of characters: the small pot-like body, the distribution of clamps in the posterior half of body and the genital complex consisting of five pairs of hooks arranged in two vertical rows. It differs from M. prashadi in the body shape and the much smaller size of the genital complex. Mazocraeoides fusiformes n. sp. differs from all the other species of the genus in the distribution of the clamps embracing only the posterior part of the testis and the genital complex consisting of one pair of needle-like lateral hooks and five pairs of median hooks. Mazocraeoides prashadi is redescribed to fill the gaps existing in the earlier description. Mazocraeoides dussumieri recorded earlier from South China Sea is reported for the first time from the Bay of Bengal. The validity of various species of Mazocraeoides is discussed and a key for the separation of valid species is provided. A host-parasite list is presented which gives details of the hosts, the geographic distribution and the validity status for each species. A partial 28S rDNA sequence was generated for M. dussumieri and deposited in GenBank.