Aplectana hoplobatrachusia sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in Hoplobatrachus crassus (Jerdon, 1853) (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Birbhum District, West Bengal, India.

Aplectana hoplobatrachusia sp. nov., recovered from the rectum of Jordon's bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus crassus, (Jerdon, 1853) collected from Lohagram in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, is described and illustrated.

Helminth-bacteria interaction in the gut of domestic pigeon Columba livia domestica.

The present paper is an attempt to study the interaction between the helminth parasite and bacteria residing in the gut of domestic pigeon, Columba livia domestica. Biochemical and molecular characterization of the gut bacterial isolate were done and the isolate was identified as Staphylococcus sp. DB1 (JX442510).

Temporal variation of the cestode, Cotugnia cuneata (Meggit, 1924) in their host, domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica (Gmelin, 1789).

A study of the temporal variation of Cotugnia cuneata, on a monthly basis, was carried out from January 2008 to December 2010. The study revealed a similarity in the percentage prevalence and mean intensity of infection with higher values in the beginning of the year that gradually declined towards the middle and rose to moderate values towards the end of the year. The periodicity clearly shows a correlation with the seasonal changes throughout the year and provides important insights to the survival strategies of the parasite as well as its life-cycle.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of the Cyclophyllidean cestode, Cotugnia cuneata (Meggit, 1924), an endoparasite of domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica.

Analysis of the major biochemical constituents of Cotugnia cuneata revealed that the total protein, carbohydrate, glycogen and lipid contents (as percentage of dry weight) were 25.22 ± 0.93, 32.