Rhabdochona (Globochona) spinicauda new species (Nematoda: Rhabdochnidae) from the putitor mahaseer,Tor putitora,in Pakistan

A new nematode species rhabdochona (globochona) spinicauda n. sp. based on fifth stage larvae (l5 or young adults) is described here from the intestine of a freshwater fish,the putitor mahaseer tor putitora (ham.) . the main diagnostic trait is the possession of a prominent spine at the tail tip of female specimens. the new nematode parasite is also characterized by possessing square-shaped eggs with cuticular floats on four sides of its surface,0.012-0.018 by 0.005-0.02 mm in size; a thick,muscular,backwardly directed vagina; 10 teeth in the prostome; two very unequal and dissimilar spicules with spicular ratio 1:2.48-2.55 and 11 pairs of caudal papillae (6 preanal,5 postanal) at the caudal end of male specimens. © 2012 zoological society of pakistan.