ISSN: 2639-216X
Authors: Amin OM*, Chaudhary A, Heckmann RA, Rubtsova NY and Singh HS
Pallisentis (Pallisentis) paranandai n. sp. is a freshwater fish parasite in the intestine of Channa marulius (Hamilton) (Actinopterygii: Anabantiformes: Channidae) from the Ganga River and its tributaries, the Indian Subcontinent. Our specimens were somewhat similar to those of Pallisentis nandai Sarkar, 1953 originally described from the liver of the leaffish, Nandus nandus (Hamilton) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Nandidae) from the Ganga River delta at Calcutta. Our description of P. paranandai n. sp. includes morphological, chemical, and molecular information distinguishing it from Pallisentis nandai. Both species, P. paranandai n. sp. and P. nandai, have similar anatomical organization but specimens of P. paranandi n. sp. lack proboscis bumps and undulating membrane lining of the proboscis receptacle found in P. nandai, have larger organs, sensory pores and discs on the proboscis, neck, and trunk not found in P. nandai. They also have different hook and spine chemistry (using EDXA) showing much higher levels of Calcium and Phosphorous and considerably lower levels of Sulfur compared to P. nandai. A comparison with the EDXA pattern of another species of Pallisentis, P. indica Mital and Lal, 1976 showed a distinctly different pattern. The sequencing and analysis of 18S region of ribosomal DNA sequences evaluate the relationship between the new species and other species of Pallisentis in the family Quadrigyridae. The phylogenetic tree of maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) were implemented allowing us to validate P. paranandai n. sp. and to suggest that Pallisentis is a monophyletic group.
Keywords: Acanthocephala; EDXA; Molecular Profile; Pallisentis Paranandai n. sp.; Ganga River; India
