A new ectoparasitic crustacean, Argulus sindhensis sp. Nov. (Branchiura: Argulidae) from Pakistan

Abstract

: A new species of an ectoparasitic crustacean, Argulus sindhensis is being described from a major Carp, Labeo rohita. Body of male is narrower then that of female, carapace is oval in shape and does not cover the last thoracopod. Abdominal lobes are comparatively narrow and elongated in male as compared to those in female. Ventrally anterior half of the carapace bears many rows of small spines. A. sindhensis differs from other argulids due to its peculiar banana shaped respiratory areas, and notatory lobe of female, having a conical spine. Two groups have been proposed, on the basis of shape and location of respiratory areas for separation of various species of Argulus. (a) Fish lice having small anterior and large posterior respiratory area situated one above the other (b) fish lice with elongated respiratory areas located adjacent to each other.