Camallanidae parasitic in some Ceylon fish

Abstract

1. Camallanus anabantis is recorded from Ceylon in Anabas testudineus, Ophicephalus punctatus, Puntius filamentosus and Rasbora daniconius . P. filamentosus, R. daniconius and O. punctatus are new hosts for this species. 2. Camallanus sweeti is recorded from Ceylon in Anabas testudineus, Ophicephalus punctatus, Ophicephalus striatus and Rasbora daniconius . One third stage larva was observed in each of O. punctatus and Clarias batrachus. O. punctatus, O. striatus and R. daniconius are new hosts for this species. 3. Procamallanus planoratus is recorded in Clarias batrachus, Ophicephalus punctatus and Ophicephalus striatus from Ceylon. O. punctatus and O. striatus are new hosts for this species. 4. Variations in the anatomy of the posterior ends of the three species are mentioned. 5. No Camallanidae were obtained from Macropodus cupanus, Puntius chola, P. dorsalis, P. vittatus, Panchax panchax, Nemacheilus botia botia, Etroplus macu-latus and Etroplus suratensis . 6. Reasons are given for suggesting direct infection of the host from the first intermediate host, although a ‘carrier host’ may exist.