On a nematode, Pseudaspidodera jnanendrae n.sp., from the peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Extract

The genus Pseudaspidodera was founded by Baylis & Daubney (1922). Recently I had an opportunity of examining a collection of worms of this genus from the gut of two Indian peafowls, Pavo cristatus. I am grateful to Mr K. K. Banerjee of the Bengal Veterinary College, Calcutta, for kindly placing the material at my disposal. Three species of the genus Pseudaspidodera have so far been described, viz. P. pavonis Baylis & Daubney (1922) from Pavo cristatus and Pavo muticus, and later from Argusianus argus; P. voluptuosa Chandler (1926) from Argusianus argus and Rollulus roulroul and P. spinosa Maplestone (1932) from Argusianus argus. The parasites under consideration cannot be assigned to any of the species referred to above. The separation of the cephalic cordons in P. pavonis, the presence of spines along the cephalic cordons in P. spinosa, and the longer left spicule in P. voluptuosa are sufficient to distinguish these worms from my specimens. I take this opportunity of recording my sincere thanks to Dr Baini Prashad and Mr M. N. Datta of the Zoological Survey of India for giving me facilities for examining the type specimens of P. pavonis and P. voluptuosa. I am indebted also to Prof. P. A. Maplestone of the School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Calcutta, for kindly lending me the co-types of P. spinosa. The species has been named after one of my colleagues, Mr Jnanendra Lal Bhaduri, M.Sc., who has helped me with many helpful suggestions.