Diversity of Tapeworms in Piscean, Avian and Mammalian Hosts from Marathwada region (M.S.) India

Vertebrates are the important components of the ecosystem. They are very important from the ecological and economical point of view. Man uses many fishes, birds and mammals as delicious and nutritious food. These fishes, birds and mammals are known to harbour a number of parasitic infections i.e. trematodes, cestodes and nematodes which cause deterioration in their health and increase the rate of mortality of hosts. The flesh of fishes, birds and mammals are not properly cooked, therefore, encysted stages are entered inside the body of human and cause dangerous diseases to human beings. The study was undertaken on the status of diversity of piscean, avian and mammalian tapeworms of genus Senga, Gangesia, Proteocephalus, Cotugnia, Davainea, Raillietina, Valipora, Mogheia, Moniezia, Stilesia and Avitellina from Marathwada region (M.S.) India. Tapeworms were collected and studied from different freshwater fishes, birds and mammals; and identified with morphotaxonomical keys and advanced numerical tools.