Morphotaxonomic characteristics of Hymenolepis mehrabpurensis N. sp., from (Turdoides striata, 1823 Leiothrichidae) of the tropical region, Sindh-Pakistan

Sindh province having own unique identification due to historical Indus civilization and River Indus but research work was conducted at district: Naushahro Feroze, which is a most imperative sahati region of central Sindh and comprises mostly agriculture-based lands. For prevalence of helminth parasitic burden in Jungle babbler, a total no of (n=12) T. striata were collected from Taluka, Mehrabpur, during 2017-18 and (n= 86) specimen were recovered belonging to the genus; Hymenolepis Weinland, 1858 which were recovered from intestine and clocal opening. Whole specimens were pragmatic morphologically change, having larger opaque body and maximum width at gravid segments. Whitish delicate, long muscular scolexes, rostellum with rostellular sac contained four hooks in a single row, neck with 246, gravid 190 and mature proglottids 56 in number. All segments found wider than long, muscular suckers similar in length. Dome-shaped ovary, compact and irregular vitelline glands, cirrus sac is proturated outward, vagina situated behind the ovary, eggs oval-shaped and testes three to five in number. Actually, duration of present work was 12 months but high intensity of infection recorded in the month of January and minimum in June, by consequent difference compared (P<0.05) cold and hot summer seasons. The present findings suggest that more work should be carried out other former friendly Aves in this region. This is a new documentary and new record documented first time over the helminth parasites in above mentioned region.


Introduction
Birds, the most attractive creature including more than 10,000 species [1], majority of them found in continental regions remaining in islands. Pakistan comprises Oriental and Palearctic regions in both areas 670 species and 74 families of avifauna are found [2], about 356 bids species have been documented in Sindh of which 17 species are at endangered conditions [3]. Surrounding the Indus Delta region 329 species are surviving [4]. These are traditionally divided into 30 to 40 orders [5]. The Passeriformes are commonly song producing beautiful and perching vertebrates. They are warmblooded, oviparous and their eggs contain calcium carbonated porous shell. In Pakistan wide range of fauna are serving their life due to the fruitful location and diverse habitats. Geese, waders, ducks, flamingos cranes, falcons, and swans are commonly migratory birds migrate towards Pakistan from European and Asian regions follow a zone known as Indus flyway or green route/root no. 4 [6]. Many scholars used their stamina to report helminth parasites of avifauna at Sindh region [7,8,9]. T. striata are Passeriformes insectivorous endemic [10], locally called Saath Bhai in regional languages, commonly seen where scrub forests and plenty of food intermixed is available [11]. They are considered farmer-friendly because they feed on variety of pest insects, their eggs and larvae. However; these species serve their life in social grouping manner and taking the advantages from their association, they are co-operative breeders, varies in their number from 7 to 20 [12]. Male Jungle babbler is dominant over the female breeders [13]. Being gregarious and social they form intermixed foraging flock and eat berries, nectars, and grains [14]. They are long-lived predators [15]. Young birds contain dark iris but older having pale creamy-colored iris with dark epithelium [16], at the age of three years they attain maturity and breed in both seasons. By forming social allopreening they produce different voices to communicate among themselves such as; chases, chattering, chirping, squeaking, and mock flights [17]. Generally before dawn they wake up and move to screech for foraging but death occurs when they threatened by predators [18]. They are unable to fly at long distance [19]. They lay two to four eggs and after 14 to 16 days eggs become hatch but some other species are predators for their eggs i.e., greater coucal, crows and mongoose they also attack their young ones, including rat snake harm their chicks [20]. Majority of the beautiful birds are resilient numerous helminths including trematodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans but cestodes are frequently found at high prevalence, all these helminths are responsible for clinical and subclinical symptoms. Mostly worms affect intestinal part and they release their eggs in host faecal material for the purpose to re-infection in same species when reinfection occurs by the same type of helminths then birds show signs such as, diarrohea, poor health, reduce their body weight, certain illness conditions which may lead to death. Also during infection parasites rely badly effects to their hosts, unthriftiness, retarded growth, damage to the gut epithelium, lowering the gastro resistance against other infections, emaciation, lower production of eggs and may death occur to their hosts [ [32]. For this purpose, the research study was conducted from this region to check out the prevalence of new helminth species from present agrobeneficial host species in this tropical region for future planning to save the other passerine host birds. Material and methods T. striata were collected during 2017-18, for the purpose to examine internal organs to find out the prevalence of helminth parasites. A total (n=12) host birds were captured form different locations including farmlands, villages, crop fields, surrounding the industries, towns, by the source of air gun and some purchased from local rural people and few from poultry forms and brought them Parasitology Laboratory, Zoology department, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur for dissection. From intestinal region of all hosts (n=86) specimen were recovered. If captured bird were supposed to be dead than on priority basis were kept in the refrigerator and first dissected those hosts which were injured by air gun and other birds were kept few days in wooden cage or iron made cage by supplying them nourishment and dissected under laboratory conditions as per need basis. Firstly, cotton swab was taken by putting five to eight drops of chloroform hold for few minutes on both minute pores at the beak region with the help of one hand and intensively hold host with the help of another hand. When birds become completely anesthetized then feathers were removed from cloacal opening up to the neck region and a longitudinal cut was given by the source of scissors. Arranged petri plates by adding few amounts of distilled water and each segment of the visceral organs were kept in it individually. Adding few amounts of 100% ethanol in coplin jar and slides were poured for 16 to 18 minutes, then slide were taken for dehydration and with spongy pieces of cloth or handkerchief slides were sterilized. A stereo dissecting microscope very intensively used for examination of internal organs. Then the cestode specimen were laid on the slide covered with cover slip after that thorough threads were wrapped and again slides containing specimen placed inside coplin jar and left it for one night once again threads were reopened and in separate petri plate few amount of borax carmine were added parasite containing slide were placed inside the borax for mounting purpose until specimens were completely mount then parasites were washed with ethanol more than one time and two to three drops of Canada balsam were released by the help of dropper, now on the surface of fresh slide parasites were laid by putting them cover slip, then slide containing stained specimens were kept in oven box at least12-15 hours at fixed appropriate temperature. By the help of Camera Lucida diagram of the specimens were taken, finally, camera Meiji infinity, 1DK-3000 were used for photography and in millimetres (mm) measurement of all internal organs of the helminths were tacked and in micrometers (µm) eggs were measured. Holotype permanent slides of specimens were kept in Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, SALU, Khairpur for reference motivation.

Statistical analysis
For statistical examination total data was placed in Ms, excel, analysis of variation also for the purpose of authentic result help were also taken by using of SXW software, 8.1, version (USA).

Results
During research work 12 host birds were anesthetized and etically dissected all were found positive with cestode parasitic infection and their description is given as under: Description All specimens were recovered from the large intestine and near the cloacal opening of the host birds, cestode consists 1.11-1.18 X 29.30-32.33 by 1.19 mm in length and width but at gravid segments maximum width was observed. When cestodes were alive all specimens were found opaque, whitish and relatively delicate. Neck followed by 246 series of segments, comprises 0.25 to 0.78. Wider then long muscular scolex consist 0.11-0.12 X 0.13-0.14 in size. A single row consist four hooks in vertical position comprises 0.38-0.44 X 0.07-0.09 in size. Rostellular sac 0.83 by 0.104 in size and rostellum 0.02-0.03 X 0.06-0.08 in size were found. One hundred and ninety gravid segments were counted contain measurement 0.12-0.118 X 0.31-0.33 of which one hundred and fifty-six mature proglottids consist 1.12-1.15 X 0.22-0.28 but all segments were wider than long. Muscular suckers consists 0.03-0.04 X 0.06 -0.07 in size. Oval shaped compact and irregular vitelline gland measured 0.128-0.080 X 0.112-0.120 in size. Portrayed outward cirrus sac measured 0.51-0.53 X 0.12-0.15 in size and domeshaped ovary contain 0.12-0.15 X 0.13-0.17 in size. Behind the ovary vagina is situated measured 0.241-0.242 by 0.112-0.055 in size. Size of eggs 0.01-0.02 X 0.02-0.03, testes oval in shape three to five in number comprises 0.03-0.06 X 0.03-0.08 same in size, respectively (Fig. 1).
The systematic position of Hymenolepis mehrabpurensis N. sp. (Fig. 1 & 2 On the basis of morphological characteristics such as; length, width, shape, and size of the hooks, ovary, testes, shape of the mature and immature proglottids, size and arrangement of the eggs and all other essential characteristics Hymenolepis mehrabpurensis n. sp., is proposed. New species were given new names from their locality where from host birds were captured. This species is first time reported from Sindh, Pakistan and Jungle babbler host birds is a new record for the genus Hymenolepis Weinland, 1858. The present research work was conducted during the month of October 2017 to September 2018, a total of (n=12) host birds T. striata were captured and only one host bird was dissected in every month for the prevalence of helminth intensity. The penalty examination demonstrates the greatest population was found in the month of January but the very less burden of helminth is observed in the month of June (Fig. 3). The investigation of discrepancy shows the momentous differentiation among 12 months of the year (P<0.05).

Conclusion
T. striata birds are omnivores in their feeding behavior widely distributed in Asian countries, generally known as seven sisters, these species mostly feed pest insects, vertebrate pests and predators due to such type of nature commonly denoted as farmer-friendly. This kind of bird also harbors helminth parasites in their internal tract create morbidity; reduce population and causative reason for their high mortality. In this regard, present scientific documentary suggests more research and systematic study should be carried out on the internal helminth parasites of Leiothrichidae because there is no particular record or scientific documentary regarding cestode helminth in T, striata, at the above-mentioned area.

Acknowledgments
The scholars are cheerfully thankful to the local peoples of taluka Mehrabpur, villagers, town dwellers of this region by participating in this research work for a collection of hosts to their surroundings because they provided gathered support to authors in hot and summer season of the years. The authors are again thankful to the farmers who given cages for the purpose to keep the bird alive inside them and providing tricks and techniques in capturing the T, striata birds from their croplands. Authors are really thankful for their guide, who gives such a pathway way and guide in this work each and every moment.