Centrorhynchus saluni n.sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in Saleh Pat, Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan: Centrorhynchus saluni n.sp from the Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

Badar Alam Samejo; Fakhra Soomro; Nadir Ali Birmani

doi:10.54393/mjz.v6i3.173

Authors

Badar Alam Samejo Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Pakistan
Fakhra Soomro Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Pakistan
Nadir Ali Birmani Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/mjz.v6i3.173

Keywords:

Centrorhynchus Saluni n.sp, Avian Acanthocephalan, Greater Coucal, Centropus Sinensis, Sukkur

Abstract

The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a widespread, non-migratory resident bird of Pakistan that inhabits diverse habitats, including agricultural landscapes and forested areas. Objectives: To describe a new species of Centrorhynchus from the Greater Coucal in Sindh, contributing to the knowledge of acanthocephalan diversity in Pakistan and the global taxonomy of the genus. Methods: Three Greater Coucals (Centropus sinensis) were collected through purposive sampling during routine avian surveys in Saleh Pat, Sukkur District, Pakistan. Gastrointestinal tracts were dissected and screened under a stereomicroscope. Worms were relaxed in hot water, fixed in AFA, stained with borax carmine, dehydrated through graded ethanol, cleared, and mounted in Canada balsam. Line drawings (Olympus BH2-DA) and photomicrographs (OMAX 10 MP) were prepared. Diagnostic features were consistent across specimens. The approach aligns with established acanthocephalan taxonomy protocols, where complete specimens validate new species, and the study focused on description rather than ecological statistics. Results: Seven acanthocephalans were recovered from the intestines of two Greater Coucals (Centropus sinensis), representing a new species, Centrorhynchus saluni n. sp. Male measured 6.27–6.70 mm, and female 7.41–7.92 mm. Diagnostic features include specific proboscis and receptacle dimensions, cylindrical lemnisci longer than the receptacle, tandem to slightly oblique testes, six elongated cement glands, and a posterior bursa in male. Female possess a uterine bell with eggs measuring 0.075–0.085 × 0.030–0.038 mm. Conclusions: Centrorhynchus saluni n. sp., discovered in the Greater Coucal from Sindh, Pakistan, enhances knowledge of Centrorhynchidae diversity and introduces new diagnostic traits.

References

Ramel G. Domestic Birds: Greater Coucal or the Crow Pheasant. 2023 Jul. https://earthlife.net/greater-coucals/.

Gill F, Donsker D, Rasmussen P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List (v14.2). 2024. doi: 10.14344/IOC.ML.14.2.

Saleem M, Javid A, Hussain A, Mehmood S. Diversity and Molecular Identification of Bird Species from South Punjab, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity. 2025 Jan; 9(1): 280-99.

Scott ME. Helminth-Host-Environment Interactions: Looking Down from the Tip of the Iceberg. Journal of Helminthology. 2023 Jan; 97: e59. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X23000433.

Giari L, Castaldelli G, Timi JT. Ecology and Effects of Metazoan Parasites of Fish in Transitional Waters. Parasitology. 2022 Dec; 149(14): 1829-41. doi: 10.1017/S0031182022001068.

Loke PN and Harris NL. Networking Between Helminths, Microbes, and Mammals. Cell Host and Microbe. 2023 Apr; 31(4): 464-71. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.02.008.

Galaktionov KV and Atrashkevich GI. Patterns in Transmission of Marine Bird Parasites in the High Arctic: The Case of Acanthocephalans Polymorphus Phippsi (Palaeacanthocephala, Polymorphidae). Biology Bulletin Reviews. 2023 Dec; 13(Suppl 2): S144-54. doi: 10.1134/S2079086423080042.

Amin OM, Heckmann RA, Wilson E, Keele B, Khan A. The Description of Centrorhynchus Globirostris N. Sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the Pheasant Crow, Centropus Sinensis (Stephens) in Pakistan, with Gene Sequence Analysis and Emendation of the Family Diagnosis. Parasitology Research. 2015 Jun; 114(6): 2291-9. doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4424-0.

Bilqees FM and Aly Khan AK. Two new helminth parasites from Pakistan, with redescription of the acanthocephalan Centrorhynchus fasciatum (Westrumb, 1821). Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 2005; 37(4): 257-263.

Birmani NA, Dharejo AM, Khan MM. A New Species of Polymorphus Lühe, 1911(Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) in Black Coot, Fulica atra (Aves: Rallidae), Pakistan. Zootaxa. 2011 Jun; 2929(1): 64-8. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.2929.1.7.

Khan A and Bilqees FM. On a New Acanthocephala parasite from Common House Crow in Sindh, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 1998; 30(1): 35-7.

Khan A, Bilqees FM, Ghazi RR. Acanthocephalan Parasite Centrorhynchus Nickolin. Sp. From Eurasian Roller (Coracias Garrulus Linn.). Proceedings of Parasitology. 2001; 32: 33-9.

Khan A, Khatoon N, Bilqees FM. A New Acanthocephalan Species Porrorchis jonesae from a Bird, Acridotheres tristis (Linn.) from Karachi, Sindh. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 2010 Apr; 42(2).

Bushra S, Khan A, Das SN, Ghazi RR. Centrorhynchus Cribbi Sp. N. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) in Centropus Sinensis, (Pheasant Crow) from Nausharo Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan. International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology. 2020; 17 (4): 745-751.

Naz S, Birmani NA, Fatima I, Jokhio JI. Helminthological Studies in Francolins (Galliformes: Phasianidae) of Sindh, Pakistan with Two New Species and Epidemiological Parameters. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. 2021 Jan; 23: 100540. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100540.

Khan A, Ghazi RR, Bilqees FM. Two New Species of Acanthocephalan Parasites of House Crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot). Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 2002; 34(2): 139-146.

Zhao Q, Muhammad N, Chen HX, Ma J, Suleman, Li L. Morphological and Genetic Characterisation of Centrorhynchus Clitorideus (Meyer, 1931) (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the Little Owl Athene noctua (Scopoli) (Strigiformes: Strigidae) in Pakistan. Systematic Parasitology. 2020 Oct; 97(5): 517-28. doi: 10.1007/s11230-020-09930-8.

Golvan YJ. The Genus Centrorhynchus Lühe 1911 (Acanthocephala-Polymorphidae). Revision of the European Species and Description of a New African Parasitic Species of Diurnal Raptor. Bulletin of the Fundamental Institute of Black Africa. 1956: 732-85.

Ansari MA. Black Kite Milvus Migrans. Ashok Yakkaldevi. 2023 Apr.

Gupta V, Fatma S. On Five New Species of the Genus Centrorhynchus Luhe, 1911 (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae Van Cleave, 1916) from Avian and Amphibian Hosts of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Helminthology. 1981; 33(2): 105–120.

Van Cleave HJ and Pratt EM. A New Species of the Genus Centrorhynchus (Acanthocephala) from the Barred Owl. The Journal of Parasitology. 1940 Aug; 26(4): 297-300. doi: 10.2307/3272102.