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Checklist of digenean fauna infecting fishes of Kerala region, India

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Abstract

A checklist of digenetic trematodes of fishes (both freshwater, brackish and marine) from Kerala is prepared on the basis of scientific articles published during the period from 1970 to 2022. To date, 94 species (72 adults and 22 metacercariae) belonging to 26 families and 62 genera were documented. The largest Family reported here is Hemiuridae under which ten genera and 23 species have been documented. For each parasite species, information is provided on the host(s), developmental stage(s), site(s) of infection, geographical locality (-ies) and the published source(s). Available illustrations have also been presented. ‘Keys to the Trematoda’ Volumes 1 to 3 are followed for presenting taxonomic status. The checklist forms the first complete listing of digenetic trematodes infecting marine, brackish and freshwater fishes of Kerala, India. The current effort meets the demand for a checklist on diverse trematode fauna parasitizing fishes of Kerala which will be helpful to future researchers working on fish parasites.

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Acknowledgements

Nisha P V (08/578/0007/(2018)-EMR-I) is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for the award of Junior Research Fellowship. Jithila P J (KSCSTE/972/2018- FSHP- MAIN) is grateful to the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) for the Research Fellowship. Sherin Chacko (IF17071) is thankful to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) INSPIRE programme for the Inspire Fellowship.

Funding

This work was supported by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi [08/578/0007/(2018)-EMR-I], Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)[KSCSTE/972/2018- FSHP- MAIN], Department of Science and Technology (DST) INSPIRE [IF17071].

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  1. Ecological Parasitology and Tropical Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kannur University, Mananthavady Campus, Wayanad, Kerala, 670645, India

    Prasadan Puthanpurayil Kandambeth, Nisha Puthiya Veettil, Jithila Puthiyakandy Janardhanan & Sherin Chacko

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  1. Prasadan Puthanpurayil Kandambeth
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PPK designed and guided the study. NPV, JPJ, SC carried out the survey in detail. The manuscript is the outcome of collective inputs from all the authors.

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Correspondence to Prasadan Puthanpurayil Kandambeth.

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Kandambeth, P.P., Veettil, N.P., Janardhanan, J.P. et al. Checklist of digenean fauna infecting fishes of Kerala region, India. J Parasit Dis 47, 566–590 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-023-01589-4

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