This book is the first to explore in detail the systematics and taxonomy of the digenean fauna of fish in Indian marine waters. It includes morphological descriptions of 648 species in 190 genera and 30 families. The figures from the original publications are enhanced and made more attractive. Each description is accompanied by information on hosts and distribution. Digenetic trematodes, usually known as Digeneans, are the most diverse group of metazoan parasites of marine fishes. They are parasitic flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes) with a complex life-cycle and as adults inhabit mainly the alimentary system and associated organs, but also occur in the blood, under the scales, in the body cavity and in the gall and urinary bladders. Keys to families, genera and species are provided, except for a few large and controversial genera, where morphological characters are insufficient for identification. Although there is extensive literature on Digeneans, it is scattered and largely in obscure local journals. Bringing together most of the primary literature on the subject, Digenetic Trematodes of Indian Marine Fishes provides a primer for further study and a starting point for the use of modern molecular methods for the fauna of this region. Unique in its scope, it is a valuable resource for students, professional parasitologists and ecologists as well as fishery and wildlife biologists.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Material and Methods
Chapter 3. The Digenetic trematodes
Part I: Systematic Account-Order Diplostomida Olson, Cribb, Tkach, Bray & Littlewood, 2003
Chapter 4. Superfamily Schistosomatoidea
Part II: Systematic Account-Order Plagiorchiida La Rue, 1957
Chapter 5. Superfamily Bivesiculoidea
Chapter 6. Superfamily Bucephaloidea
Chapter 7. Superfamily Gymnophalloidea
Chapter 8. Superfamily Haplosplanchnoidea
Chapter 9. Superfamily Hemiuroidea
Chapter 10. Superfamily Apocreadioidea
Chapter 11. Superfamily Transversotrematoidea
Chapter 12. Superfamily Haploporoidea
Chapter 13. Superfamily Lepocreadioidea
Chapter 14. Superfamily Brachycladioidea
Chapter 15. Superfamily Opecoeloidea
Chapter 16. Superfamily Monorchioidea
Chapter 17. Superfamily Gorgoderoidea
Chapter 18. Superfamily Microphalloidea
Chapter 19. Superfamily Opisthorchioidea
Chapter 20. Miscellaneous families
Chapter 21. Conclusion