Tripartiella copiosa ( Lom 1959 )

Saha, Mandira & Bandyopadhyay, P. K., 2016, First report of some known Trichodinella epizootica Šramek-Hušek, 1953, and Tripartiella Lom, 1959 from the cultured Oranda Gold Fish (Carassius auratus auratus) in India, Zootaxa 4184 (1), pp. 130-140 : 136

Tripartiella copiosa ( Lom 1959)

( Fig. 3 A, 3B, 3C; Table 3)

Description (Number of specimens measured—20). A small disc shaped body measuring 18.4–25.2 (21.8±4.8), Adhesive disc measuring 12.5–20.1 (16.3±5.3), surrounded by a finely striated border membrane with a width of 1.5–2.5 (2.1±07). The center of this disc is finely granular and uniformly dark when impregnated. Denticle is small ( Fig.3 A, 3B). The blade of denticle is broad, with denticular ring having diameter of 6.6–9.5 (8.05±2.0) and blade fills half of the space between y–axis. It is found that the distal margin in most cases is truncated, adjoins and runs parallel to border membrane. The lateral margins of the blade are parallel. The tangent point is flat, forms a line with y-axes ( Fig. 3 C). The anterior projection is prominent, but is a spike like extension was observed. The blade is also connected to an anterior projection by a delicate section. The posterior projection is also prominent and touches the section between the blade and anterior projection by its tip. The lateral projection fits well into the well developed hook-like structure in the region of denticle ( Fig.3 C). The section between anterior projection and central part is delicate measuring about 0.6–1.5(1.05±0.6) The ray is thin, slanted posteriorly with length of 0.9– 3.1 (2.0±1.5), number of radial pins per denticle 3–4 (3.5±0.7) number of denticles 20–24 (22±2.8); dimensions of denticle, length 0.5–2.5 (1.5±1.4); blade 3.0–4.5 (3.75±1.0); span 4.0–5.5 (4.7±1.0) and having 3.1–6.1 4.6±2.1) diameter of central area. No significant variation in shape and structure of the denticles of the specimen has been found in the present studies with the findings of previous authors.

Taxonomic summary:

Host: Carassius auratus auratus (L.)

Locality : Haringhata, Nadia, West Bengal, India (22°53’N – 24°11’N / 88°09’E – 88°48’E)

Location: Gills

Reference material. Lecotype: In slide no. GF-TPC-3/2014, deposited at the collection of the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India.

Remarks. On analyzing the morphmetric and quantitative data of the present specimen, it was readily identified as Tripartiella copiosa ( Lom 1959) . Lom &Haldar (1977) contributed in characterizing T. copiosa as the ciliophoran of the genus Tripartiella on the basis of above mentioned description. This ciliophoran is quite similar to the earlier described ones. The morphometry of the present ciliophoran is also within the range of variability of T. copiosa Lom (1959) and hence the present ciliophoran has been identified as T. copiosa Lom (1959) . It is also a first record of this parasite from Carassius spp. in India

Figures

FIGURE 3. Microphotographs of Tripartiella species recovered from Carassius auratus auratus (L.). (A & B) Photomicrographs of silver nitrate impregnated adhesive discs of T. copiosa (Lom 1959) with its schematic diagram present in (C). (D & E) Showing the silver nitrate impregnated adhesive discs of T. obtusa (Ergens & Lom 1970) with its schematic diagram present in (F). Scale bars 10 µm.