NEIHPID

Physocephalus sexalatus (Diesing Diesing) Molin 1860 Back

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Taxonomy

Nematoda »
        SECERNENTEA »
              Spirocercidae (Chitwood et Wehr, 1934) Chabaud, 1975 »
                     Ascaropsinae Alicata et McIntosh, 1933 »
                            Physocephalus Diesing, 1861 »
                                    Physocephalus sexalatus (Molin 1860), Diesing 1861

Synonyms

(Spiroptera sexalata Molin 1860;  S. strigis  (Linstow, 1878) Seurat, 1915;  S. strongylina suis  labiati (Molin, 1860))

Host

Sus (scrofa domestica)

Habitat

Stomach, Small intestine

Locality

Nongstoin (Meghalaya), Shillong (Meghalaya), Markasa (Meghalaya)

Description

General

Medium-sized worms. Anteriorly, portion of body in oesophageal region  showing striated cephalic cuticular extension; latter ending into two pocket-like structures, each looking like head of sign '?'. Three lateral alae present just behind cuticular extensions; middle ala well developed, completely striated; internal ala thickly striated; external one with none or few striations restricted to half of its width. Cuticle striated, striations markedly distinct behind lateral to posterior end of body. Cervical papillae very asymmetrically situated, apparently only single papilla situated on left side on middle lateral ala, just in front of nerve ring. Mouth with two trilobed lateral lips, joined to form two lateral masses; each lip bearing three papillae externally, without teeth internally. Pharynx relatively long; its wall strengthened by single spiral thickening which breaks up in to complete rings in middle portion. Oesophagus long, straight, divided into two parts, anterior much shorter, less wide than posterior.

Female

Body 18.0-22.0 mm in length, 0.39-0.46 mm in maximum width. Tail constricted little behind anus, its tip bent ventrally. Vulva behind middle of body, number of small cuticular thickenings present in form of interrupted  longitudinal ridges adjacent to it. Vagina running posteriorly from vulva, ovaries situated at opposite ends of body. Eggs elliptical, slightly flattened at poles, containing larva, 0.03-0.04 x 0.01-0.02 mm.

Remarks

This species has been reported from pigs of Calcutta (Maplestone, 1930), and Punjab (Gupta and Sood, 1968) in India. The present description is based on female specimens only, as males could not be collected during the survey. The observations reported herein are in conformity with the descriptions provided by Baylis (1939) and Gupta and Sood (1968).

Helminthological collections record

NEHU/Z - NM/6

References

Baylis, H. A. (1939) The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Nematoda Vol. II (Filarioidea, Dioctophymoidea and Trichinelloidea). Originally published by Taylor and Francis, London (reprinted edition: Today

Gupta, N. K. and Sood, M. L. (1968). Observations on four already known nematodes of pigs from Punjab. Research Bulletin (N.S.) of the Panjab University.19:pp  277-290.

Maplestone, P.A. (1930). Nematode parasites of pigs in Bengal. Records of Indian Museum, Calcutta. 32:pp 77-105.