Biplab Bhowmik, Riya Mondal, Bipasa Dey, Lisa Basu and Labani Halder
Abstract
Members of the family of Trichodinae are best known as ectoparasites that infect diverse range of fishes. Infection from this parasite causes massive pathological development and leading to the mortality of host fishes. A preliminary study among different regions of Hooghly Estuarine fishes present in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal found Trichodinid cilliophorans infecting the gills of Mystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822) (Bagridae) that causes damage in the gill epithelium of many host fishes. Description based on wet silver nitrate impregnation method that is performed with compound microscopic study Olympus BX43, attached with digital camera Olympus- DP23. During the course of surveillance Trichodinid Cilliophorans were found Medium size, flattened, disc shaped body, cup shaped adhesive disc, surrounded by finely striated distinct and broad band-like border membrane. Denticulated ring containing 22-24 robust denticles with sickle shaped blade and 7-9 radial pins on each denticle were observed. This is identified as Trichodina acuta Lom, 1961 based on this study and described for the first time from the Hooghly Estuarine fish Mystus gulio. The observation finds that seasonal variations affect the count of this ectoparasite in the host body.