NEOECHINORHYNCHUS DALERIN. SP. (ACANTHOCEPHALA: NEOECHINORHYNCHIDAE) IN THE MARINE FISH MUGILCEPHALUS(LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM KARACHI COAST, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Neoechinorhynchus dalerin. sp. is described from the marine fish Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Karachi coast, Pakistan is being described. The genus Neoechinorhynchus is relatively more common in freshwater fish than in marine environments and some species are known to parasitize turtles. The male and females of this species are less than 7 mm long, proboscis small in size, with the largest hooks being the anterior most 0.098-0.106 in length, lemnisci with 4 nuclei equal in length reaching the anterior testis. Body hypodermal nuclei are 2-3. Central ganglion is spherical and located at the base of proboscis receptacle. Lemnisciare equal in length reaching anterior testis, oval testes and in having a small bursa. It is closest to Neoechinorhynchus dorsovaginatus but differs in having body size smaller, lemnisci does not overlap anterior testis, lemnisciare equal in length, oval testes, cement gland with no obvious nuclei and having smaller bursa.