Studies on a New Avian Tapeworm Raillietina (R.) Rostellata Sp. Nov. (Cestoda:Davaineidae) from Gallus gallus Domesticus

The present investigation deals with taxonomic observation of a avian tapeworm species of the genus Raillietina (R.) Fuhrmann, 1920 collected from Gallus gallus domesticus at Ahmedpur, District Latur, Maharashtra, India. Amongst all the known species of Raillietina it comes closer only to Raillietina (R.) friedbergeri Linstow, 1877 in having the arrangement of genital pores unilateral and its mature segments are broader than long. But it differs from the same in having 18 rostellar hooks, 25-30 testes and compact ovary and in lacking any neck. These are important texonomic characters in erecting a new species. Hence the present cestode perasite is described in this paper as a new species and named as Rallietina (R.) rostellata sp. nov.