Oxysomatium bareilliana n sp. a nematode parasite from bufo melanostictus from Rohilkhand region, India: variance in infectivity during growth of the host

Examination of gastrointestinal contents of Bufo melanostictus collected from Bareilly, India revealed the presence of a nematode parasite Oxysomatium in 100% of the hosts sampled. The concentration index of the parasite decreased with the growth of the host [1-20 gms: 32 parasites per host, 25-50 gms.: 20 parasites per host and 50-75 gms. :2-5 parasites per host]. Its ovo-viviparous in mature, the nerve absence of ring, lateral alae and gubernaculum, the absence of preanal papillae and presence of reduced number of post anal papillae [4-6 pairs] and difference in the spicule length differentiate the present species from the earlier reported ones and is described herein as Oxysomatium bareilliana n sp