Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara-781 022, India.
*Centre Veterinarian, Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Kaziranga National Park, P.O. Bokakhat, Dist. Golaghat, Assam.
**Professor, Department of Pathology, CVSc, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022, India
Prevalence and pathology of Chaunocephalus ferox (Rudolphi, 1795), Dietz, 1909 in a free living open billed stork (Anastomus oscitans) from Kaziranga National Park of Assam has been described. The length and breadth of uncompressed parasite was 2.5 × 1.5 and 2.5 × 0.75 mm at pre and post-acetabular parts, respectively. Head collar contained at least 27 spines with 4 corner spines on either side. Eggs recovered from uterus of adult parasite measured 128.35 × 94.5 μm with an operculum at one pole. Parasites produced substantial nodules on the small intestinal wall. Diameter of nodule measured 2 mm; each nodule contained at least 2 parasites. Post-acetabular part of the parasites protruded from the nodule into the gut lumen facilitating easy exit of eggs. Wall of the parasitic nodule was thickened with muscular tissue. Histopathological evidence suggest that, the fulke was highly pathogenic.
Chaunocephalus ferox, Anastomus oscitans, Wildlife, India
