Catatropis pakistanensis n. sp. (Trematoda: Notocotylidae) from Northern shovelers, Anas clypeata (Anatidae: Aves) from Pakistan with some remarks on the history of Catatropis species

Abstract

Abstract Five out of 15 free-ranging Northern shovelers (Anas clypeata Linneus) caught in Pakistan were infected with notocotylid trematodes. Out of the 31 flukes, 10 specimens were used morphological studies, 4 others were also examined by scanning electron microscopy and one remaining trematode was cut in serial semi-thin sections for histological evaluation in order to describe a new species. Like all species of this genus, Catatropis pakistanensis n. sp has a median ridge starting posterior to the basis of the cirrus sac and extends posterior to the ovary. Bilateral to this ridge there are two rows of 9–10 ventral papillae each. Metraterm and cirrus sac are equally in length. In contrast to most other Catatropis spp. the genital opening in C. pakistanensis is situated between the oral sucker and bifurcation of the caeca.