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Description of the Metacercaria of Cardiocephaloides sp. (Digenea, Diplostomoidea), Newly Recorded from the Brain of Gangetic Leaffish (Nandus nandus) and Its Genetic Characterization in India

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Abstract

Purpose

Cardiocephaloides comprises strigeid trematodes that represent a small genus. In this study, metacercaria identified as Cardiocephaloides sp. was collected from the Gangetic leaffish Nandus nandus from the Ganga River at Bairaj, Bijnor (29º01'N, 77º45'E) in the state of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India. Partial DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 28S gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated and compared with available sequences of Cardiocephaloides species from Genbank database.

Methods

Encysted metacercariae of Cardiocephaloides sp. were collected from Nandus nandus were processed, identified and documented using morphological methods. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 cluster and 28S gene of ribosomal DNA of metacercariae were also sequenced and used for phylogenetic analysis.

Results

The infections of brain parasites are poorly understood in India and if studies are available, they are not properly described. During this study, the species collected were found belongs to the genus Cardiocephaloides. Metacercariae of Cardiocephaloides sp. is distinguished morphologically from others that also harbor brain by the presence of having an egg shape cyst and body elongate oval in shape with well-developed anterior part. The metacercariae are identified by matching of molecular sequence data and is compared to other species of Strigeidae.

Conclusion

This is the first record of metacercaria of Cardiocephaloides sp. from India. This molecular data from the present study will provide future comparative insights into species of Cardiocephaloides and its close affiliation to other congeners from different geographical areas.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship (SR/WOS-A/LS-382/2018) under WOS-A Scheme, DST (Department of Science and Technology), Government of India, New Delhi to AC.

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Correspondence to Anshu Chaudhary.

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All national and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Chaudhary, A., Singh, K., Sharma, B. et al. Description of the Metacercaria of Cardiocephaloides sp. (Digenea, Diplostomoidea), Newly Recorded from the Brain of Gangetic Leaffish (Nandus nandus) and Its Genetic Characterization in India. Acta Parasit. 66, 1597–1604 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00424-1

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