Morphological and Molecular Description of a New Species Haematoloechus dehradunensis sp. nov. (Plagiorchiidae: Haematoloechinae) from the Lungs of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Dehradun, along with a Note on H. singaporensis Yuen, 1962, a New Record to India.

PURPOSE: Morphological and molecular description of a new species of Haematoloechus dehradunensis sp. nov. collected from the lungs of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider 1799) from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India and reporting first record of H. singaporensis from India. METHODS: Digeneans were fixed in AFA (alcohol-formalin-acetic acid), stained with Borax's carmine, studied and photomicrographed with a BX53 DIC/BF Olympus research microscope. Molecular studies were done by DNA isolation using Qiagen, DNeasy® Blood and Tissue Kit and PCR amplification using r-DNA ITS-1 marker situated between 18S and 1.58S gene. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The new species is differentiated from other known species of Haematoloechus in having larger oral sucker, kidney-shaped ovary and oval-lobed testes. H. singaporensis collected from E. cyanophlyctis represents a first record for India and a new host record. ITS sequences submitted and compared at NCBI GenBank support the uniqueness of the new species.

An Updated Checklist of Free-living Marine Nematodes from Coastal India.

The present study provides an updated species list of free-living marine nematodes reported from coastal India (Coasts and Islands) based on the thorough consultation of literature published from 1956 to 2022. This exercise resulted in a total of 617 valid species belonging to 266 genera, 48 families, 21 superfamilies and 9 orders. Class Chromadorea comprises 487 species represented by 205 genera, while class Enoplea includes 130 species belonging to 61 genera. The most common family was Xyalidae, with 76 species and the least common families having a single species each were represented by Aegialoalaimidae, Rhadinematidae, Aphanolaimidae, Rhabditidae, Pandolaimidae and Rhabdodemaniidae. The checklist provides a robust framework for the distribution and biogeography of free-living marine nematodes from the Indian waters and could be used to relate with marine ecosystems of other countries.

Building resilience for sexual and reproductive health at the community level: learning from three crisis-affected provinces in Pakistan.

Pakistan regularly faces natural disasters and has a longstanding disaster risk management infrastructure. It is also a nation with high maternal and newborn mortality. Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan, with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Women's Refugee Commission and the International Planned Parenthood Federation South Asia Region's Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme in Crisis and Post Crisis Situations Initiative, embarked on building community capacity to prepare for and respond to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks in select disaster-prone areas in Pakistan, and linking communities to existing disaster risk management structures at national, regional and district levels.The initiative began with a training of trainers at the national level, which was cascaded to six union councils (UCs) in three districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces. Participants developed action plans for their respective UCs that addressed gaps in implementing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH, the international standard of care for SRH in emergency settings. Communities spent 1.5 years implementing their action plans to strengthen their capacity to respond to SRH needs in the event of an emergency.Project learning highlights the benefits of investing in preparedness to strengthen core services and linking communities to existing formal structures. Action planning led to immediate gains and longer-term benefits. The MISP for SRH was integrated into disaster risk management at all levels. Community mobilisation, awareness raising and the creation of blood donor groups and emergency transport contributed to averting mortality at the community level.

Nematode community structure along elevation gradient in high altitude vegetation cover of Gangotri National Park (Uttarakhand), India.

The study was undertaken to understand the dynamics of soil nematode communities association along elevation gradient and associated variables in high-altitude regions of Western Himalaya. The diversity and distribution pattern of soil nematodes were investigated at four elevation ranges (Elv1, Elv2, Elv3, and Elv4 each of 500 m class) along altitudinal gradient (3000-5000 m). The nematode community comprised 58 genera of which 37 genera showed sensitivity towards altitudinal variation and the community structure also varied among elevation classes. It was found that elevation significantly affect the nematodes trophic group, diversity composition, and the nematode indices. Nematode generic richness and evenness index indicated a relatively low biodiversity of soil nematodes is supported at higher altitudes. Moreover, maturity indices reflected lower sustenance of k-strategic nematodes at higher elevations. Structure index depicted fewer connections in the soil food web at higher elevations. Nematode faunal profile showed low nutrient and low disturbance in the region. Carbon footprint of the whole nematode assemblage declined along the elevation. Overall substantial differences in the nematode composition, abundance, trophic structure, and contribution to belowground carbon cycling were observed with change in elevation. These findings could be utilized as useful tool in the long-term monitoring and to understand the region's soil health.

First Report on the Genus Gyrinicola Yamaguti, 1938 from India with a Description of a New Species.

INTRODUCTION: Gyrinicola dehradunensis sp. nov. from the intestine of tadpoles of the small paa frog, Nanorana minica, from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India is described and illustrated. Gyrinicola dehradunensis is the first species of the genus recorded from India and the second species recorded from Asia. METHODS: Light microscopy was used for the identification of nematodes using BX53 DIC/BF Olympus research microscope with an attached DP27 digital camera. Drawings for the description of the new species were made from photomicrographs. For molecular studies, DNA was isolated using Qiagen, DNeasy® Blood and Tissue Kit and amplified using r-DNA ITS-18S, and ITS-1.58S primers. RESULTS: The new species is differentiated from the known species by the absence of larvated eggs and the presence of a tooth-like projection in the buccal region. N. minica is a new host record for the genus. Four r-DNA ITS1 sequences of the new species have been submitted to the NCBI Genbank.

Nematode parasites of Duttaphrynus stomaticus (Lutken, 1864) (Amphibia: Anura) with description of a new species of Rhabdias Stiles and Hassall, 1905 (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India.

Rhabdias stomatica sp. nov. from the lungs of Duttaphrynus stomaticus (Lutken, 1864) from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India is described and illustrated. Rhabdias stomatica sp. nov. is the 16th species described from the Oriental biogeographical region and the 8th species from India. The new species is differentiated from the closely related Oriental species in having 4 weakly developed lips, a trapezoidal shaped buccal cavity, different position of nerve ring and in the esophagus/body length ratio. In addition, to the new species found in the lungs, mature specimens of Aplectana macintoshii (Stewart, 1914) Travassos, 1931 and larvae representing two unidentified species of nematode were found in the large intestine of the D. stomaticus.

Description of a new species of Rhabdias Stiles and Hassall, 1905 (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Western Himalayan foothills (Uttarakhand), India.

Rhabdias garhwalensis sp. nov. from the lungs of Duttaphrynus himalayanus (Günther, 1864) collected in Kimoi Tehsil, district Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand), India is described and illustrated. Rhabdias garhwalensis sp. nov. represents the 15th species described from the Oriental zoogeographical zone and the 9th species from India. The new species is differentiated from the closely related Oriental species in having 6 lips, cup-shaped buccal cavity with muscular striations in the posterior region and smaller esophagus to body length ratio. In addition to the new species, a second species, Cosmocercoides bufonis Karve, 1944, was found in the large intestine of D. himalayanus.

Three new species of Pharygodonidae (Nematoda: Oxyuridea) in Laudakia tuberculata (Squamata: Agamidae) from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

Parapharyngodon tuberculata sp. nov., Thelandros tuberculata sp. nov. and Thelandros dehradunensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of a rock lizard, Laudakia tuberculata Gray, 1827), are described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon tuberculata sp. nov. is the 8th Oriental species and 59th species assigned to the genus Parapharyngodon and differs from other species of the genus by possessing 3 pairs of caudal papillae, an echinate cloacal lip, 112-115 µm spicule length and postbulbar ovary. Thelandros tuberculata sp. nov. is the 5th and Thelandros dehradunensis sp. nov. the 6th Oriental species, respectively, and they are the 40th and 41st species assigned to the genus Thelandros. They differ from other species of the genus in caudal papillae arrangement, length of spicules, and structure of the anterior end of the esophagus. We transfer Parapharyngodon arequipensis Calisaya and Cordova, 1997 to Thelandros arequipensis (Calisaya and Cordova, 1997) comb. n. based upon the presence of a terminal operculum in the egg and large, pendant, caudal papillae.

Description of a new species of Chabaudus Inglis and Ogden, 1965 (Nematoda: Seuratoidea) from the frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis from Dehrandun, Uttarakhand, India.

Chabaudus dehradunensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Seuratoidea) from the large intestine of the water skipper, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae), from Dehrandun, India is described and illustrated. Chabaudus dehradunensis sp. nov. is the 6th species assigned to the genus and 1st species reported from India. It is separated from its congeners based upon the number and arrangement of caudal papillae and the length of spicule. Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis is the new host record for the genus Chabaudus.

New species of Prosotocus (Digenea; Pleurogenidae) and other helminths in Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Punjab, India.

Prosotocus punjabensis sp. nov. (Digenea, Pleurogenidae) from the intestine of the water skipper, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae), from Punjab, India is described and illustrated. Prosotocus punjabensis sp. nov. is the 13th Oriental species assigned to the genus and is separated from its congeners based upon the morphology of the vitellaria and cecal terminations. In addition, E. cyanophlyctis was found to harbour three species of Nematoda, Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca kalesari and an unidentified species assigned to Cosmocerca.

Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) in Duttaphrynus himalayanus (Amphibia, Anura) from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India.

Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Duttaphrynus himalayanus (Amphibia, Anura) from Dehradun, India is described and illustrated. Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. represents the 21st species assigned to the genus and the 9th species from the Oriental biogeographical region. Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. differs from the previously described Oriental species in number and position of rosette papillae; it is the only species possessing 24 or more rosette papillae to have 4 postcloacal papillae. In addition, a list of species assigned to Cosmocercoides is provided; however, C. fotedari Arya, 1992 is removed from the genus and until further study is considered a species inquirenda.

New species of Gorgoderina (Digenea; Gorgoderidae) and other helminths in Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Dehradun, (Uttarakhand), India.

Gorgoderina spinosa sp. nov. (Digenea, Gorgoderidae) from the bladder of the water skipper, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae), from Dehradun, India is described and illustrated. Gorgoderina spinosa is the 6th Indian species assigned to the genus and is separated from its congeners based upon the morphology of vitelline glands and the presence of a spinose integument. Two additional digenean species, Diplodiscus amphichrus and Ganeo tigrinus, and 3 nematode species, Cosmocerca kalesari, Gendria chauhani, and unidentified larvae were found. Diplodiscus amphichrus, Ganeo tigrinus, Cosmocerca kalesari, and Gendria chauhani have previously been reported to infect Indian individuals of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis.

Two new species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) in anuran hosts from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India.

Rhabdias himalayanus n. sp. from the lungs of Duttaphrynus himalayanus and Rhabdias dehradunensis n. sp. from the lungs of Nanorana minica from Dehradun, India are described and figured. Of the 3 previously described Indian species, Rhabdias himalayanus n. sp. is most similar to Rhabdias shortii in having a cylindrical corpus, inflated cuticle, and conical tail; it differs from R. shortii in having greater body measurements, longer esophagus, larger eggs, and a different pattern of cuticle inflation at the vulva and tail region. Rhabdias dehradunensis n. sp. is most similar to Rhabdias bulbicauda in that both possess a swollen posterior end; it differs from R. bulbicauda by having a subterminal anus, a prominent tail, and a postequatorial vulva.

Three new species of Digenea (Batrachotrematidae) in Nanorana minica (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Uttarakhand, India.

Three new species of batrachotrematid trematodes from the small paa frog, Nanorana minica, collected in Uttarakhand, India are described and illustrated: Batrachotrema korbaensis sp. nov., Opisthioparorchis dehradunensis sp. nov. and Opisthioparorchis nanoranae sp. nov. The new species are assigned to genera based on presence or absence of cuticular spines; absent in Batrachotrema, present in Opisthioparorchis. Five species are assigned to Batrachotrema, which are separated by position of genital pore, location of testes and host; B. korbaensis differs from previously described species in that it is the only species from an anuran host with testes in the 4th quarter of the body. Ten species are assigned to Opisthioparorchis, which are separated by testes position, extent of vitellaria, and oral sucker-acetabulum ratio. O. nanoranae sp. nov. is the only species possessing tandem testes. Two species, O. dehradunensis sp. nov. and O. yaanensis, possess oblique testes, the remaining 7 species have symmetrical testes. Opisthioparorchis dehradunensis sp. nov. is distinguished from O. nanoranae sp. nov. by testes orientation; oblique in O. dehradunensis sp. nov., tandem in O. nanoranae sp. nov.

Helminth parasite communities in anuran amphibians of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary (Haryana), India.

Helminth parasite fauna in anuran amphibia were investigated during the general faunistic surveys of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Haryana state. Three species of amphibian hosts were found to harbour 12 genera of helminth parasites. The prevalence, intensity and abundance were studied. Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis harboured maximum parasite species followed by Fejervarya limnocharis and Duttaphrynus melanostictus. In E. cyanophlyctis, among nematode parasites, the genus Camallanus was most prevalent followed by Cosmocerca and Cosmocercoides, whereas, Rhabdias and Aplectana were the least prevalent genera. Among trematode parasites, Ganeo was the most prevalent genus and least was Diplodiscus. Acanthocephalus was recovered only once and no cestode infection was found. In F. limnocharis, the most prevalent nematode genus was Oxysomatium, followed by Cosmocerca and the only trematode recorded was Ganeo, whereas, cestode Proteocephalus was also recovered once. In D. melanostictus, only two nematode genera were recovered of which Oxysomatium was dominant followed by Cosmocerca. The helminth parasite community in anuran amphibia of Kalesar WLS comprised 52.9% of nematodes, 46.2% of trematodes, 0.58% cestodes and 0.29% acanthocephala.