The order Gyracanthocephala Van Cleave, 1936 includes family Quadrigyridae Van Cleave, 1920 divided into two sub-families Quadrigyrinae Van Cleave, 1920, with one genus Quadrigyrus from India and Pallisentinae Amin, 1985, with four genera Pallisentis Van Cleave, 1928; Acanthosenus Verma and Dutta, 1929; Acanthogyrus Thapar, 1927 and Raosentis Dutta, 1947) from India. Galvan (1959) synonymised Acanthosentis Verma and Dutta, 1929 with Acanthogyrus Thapar, 1927 and reduced Acanthoseniis to a subgenus further Galvan (l 994) reconsidered the generic status of Acanthosentis. Amin (2005) in agreement with Amin ( 1985) and Amin & Hendrix (1999) retained the status of Acanthosentis as sub-genus, most probably he has not got access of literature of Verma and Dutta, 1929. Bhattacharya (2007) in agreement with Verma and Dutta, 1925 given Acanthosentis to full generic status with proper justification supported by key, and authors are also in agreement with this. The type species Acanthosentis antespinus Verma & Dutta, 1929 was reported from fish Mystus gulio at Calcutta, India. Other species reported from India are A. duttai Podder, 1938; A. sircari Podder, 1941; A. giuris Soota and Sen, 1954; A. betwai Tripathi, 1959; A. indicus Tripathi, 1959; A. cameroni Gupta and Kajaji, 1969; A. thapari Prashad et al. 1969; A. bacailai Verma, 1973; A. vittatusi Verma, 1973; A. golvani Gupta & Jain, 1980; A. shuklai Agrawal & Singh, 1982; A. vancleavi Gupta & Fatma 1985; A. bilaspurensis Chowhan er al, 1987; A. gobindi Chowhan et al. 1987; A. putitorae Chowhan et al. 1988 and A. seenghalae Chowhan et al, 1988. In this paper we have described two new species of Genus Acanthosentis Verma and Dutta, 1929 recovered from the intestine of fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.) of river Gomti at Lucknow. India.

2. The order Gyracanthocephala Van Cleave, 1936 includes family
Quadrigyridae Van Clea, e, 1920 divided into two sub-families
Quadrigyrinae Van Cleave, 1920, with one genus Quadrigyrus from
India and Pallisentinae Amin, 1985, with four genera iPallisentis Van
Cleave, 1928; Acanthosenus Verma and Dutta, 1929; Acanthogyrus
Thapar, 1927 and Raosentis Dutta, 1947) from India. Galvan (1959)
synonymised Acanthosentis Verma and Dutta, 1929 with Acanthogyrus
Thapar, 1927 and reduced Acanthoseniis to a subgenus further Galvan
(l 994) reconsidered the generic status of Acanthosentis. Amin (2005)
in agreement with Amin ( 1985) and Amin & Hendrix (1999) retained
the status of Acanthosentis as sub-genus, most probably he has not got
access of literature of Verma and Dutta, 1929. Bhattacharya (2007) in
INTRODUCTION
On two new species of Acanthocephalan Genus Acanthosentis
Verma and Dutta, 1929 (family: Quadrigyridae) from the fresh
water fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) of river Gomti at
Lucknow, India
A.M. Saxena, Rahul Gupta 1, Samta Johri2 and Ramakant
Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007
'Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh,
Lucknow-226010
2Department of Zoology, Mahila P.O. College, Lucknow-226018
Indian J. Helminth (NS.) 2013, 32.pp 48-59

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the survey of food fishes of River Gomti at Lucknow during
2011-12, we have dissected out and examined a number of fishes for
possible infection of acanthocephalan parasites. Fishes were identified
with the help of Keys given for fishes of Uttar Pradesh by Gopal Ji
Srivastava (2002). From the intestine of Channa punctatus we
recovered large number of acanthocephalan parasites. Parasites were
thoroughly washed and kept on ice to relax the parasite and facilitate
complete evcrsion of their proboscis. Parasites were flattened on glass
49
agreement with Verma and Dutta, 1925 given Acanthosentis to full
generic status with proper justification supported by key, and authors
are also in agreement with this. The type species Acanthosentis
antespinus Verma & Dutta, 1929 was reported from fish Mystus gulio
at Calcutta, India. Other species reported from India are A. duttai
Podder, 1938; A. sircari Podder, 1941; A. giuris Soota and Sen, 1954;
A. betwai Tripathi, 1959; A. indicus Tripathi, 1959; A. cameroni Gupta
and Kajaji, 1969; A. thapari Prashad et al. 1969; A. bacailai Verma,
1973; A. vittatusi Verma, 1973; A. golvani Gupta & Jain, 1980; A.
shuklai Agrawal & Singh, 1982; A. vancleavi Gupta & Fatma 1985;
A. bilaspurensis Chowhan er al, 1987; A. gobindi Chowhan et al. 1987;
A. putitorae Chowhan et al. 1988 and A. seenghalae Chowhan et al,
1988. In this paper we have described two new species of Genus
Acanthosentis Verma and Dutta, 1929 recovered from the intestine of
fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.) of river Gomti at Lucknow. India.

4. 50
Family Quadrigyridae
Van Cleave, 1920
Subfamily Pallisentinae Amin, 1985
Genus Acanthosentis Verma & Dutta,1929
Acanthosentis santoshai n.sp.
(Fig.I)
slide under slight pressure of coverglass and fixed in freshly prepared
A.F.A. (ethanol, formalin and glacial acetic acid solution) for 24 hours.
For the permanent preparations parasites were hydrated in descending
series of alcohol and after thorough washing in distilled water, stained
in acetoalum carmine, differentiated in acid water and dehydrated
through ascending series of alcohol, cleared in xylene and mounted in
D.P.X. Camera lucida diagrams of parasites were made under light
microscope. For accurate count of hooks and spines parasites were
observed and photographs were taken with the help of Phase Contrast
Microscope (Olympus B:~51, Japan) and Nikon microscope (Eclipse
E200, Japan). All measurements are given in millimetre (mm). Voucher
specimens are kept in Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow,
India. For revealing taxonomical status of parasites male specimens
were considered and the number and arrangement of proboscis hooks,
body spines and number of cement gland nuclei are considered major
key characters. Taxonomical part of work was done with the help of
Handbook on Indian Acanthocephala (S.B. Bhattacharya, 2007) and
Systema Helminthurn (Vol. V: Acanthocephala; Yamaguti, 1971 ).

5. (Fig.l)
Acanthosentis santoshai n.sp.
(entire view of male)
51
Host: Channa punctatus (Bloch); Location: Intestine; Locality: Pakka
Pu! (Khadra), Lucknow (Latitude 26°52'21 "N and Longitude
80°54'58'E); Prevalence: 08 Specimens from 05 hosts out of 20
examined; Accession No: UGC/2011-2012/01.

6. 52
Body small, broader in middle half, spinose, Curved ventrally,
trunk spines closely set at anteriorly but wider apart as they proceed
backward, posterior region of body covered with spines in mature
specimen. Body 4.16mrn long and l.02mm wide. Proboscis short,
slightly globular in shape, with 3 circles of hooks each circle bearing
6 hooks. Proboscis 0.16mm long and 0.12mm wide. Hooks of anterior
region 0.08rnm long, and of posterior region 0.06mm long. Neck
reduced. Proboscis receptacle cylindrical with a single layered wall.
Proboscis receptacle 0.42mm long and 0.02mm wide. Lemnisci
cylindrical and longer than proboscis sac. Lemnisci subequal in size.
Lemniscus of left side l .24mm long and 0.26mm wide. Lemniscus of
right side I .22mm long and 0.24mm wide. Body covered with collar
and trunk spines arranged in 26 spiral rows of 24-28 hooks in each
row. Collar spines of anterior region 0.08mm in size and collar spines
of posterior region 0.06mm in size. Testes oval, sub-equal, tandem,
balloon shaped united by genital ligament in posterior half of trunk.
Anterior testis 0.67mm long and 0.32mm wide. Posterior testis smaller
than anterior testis, 0.55mm long and 0.28mm wide. Cement glands
oval in shape, massed together behinu posterior testis, 0.26mm long
and 0.23mm wide. Cement gland synctial with 6 nuclei. Cement
reservoir 0.20mm long and 0.1 I mm wide. Saefftigens pouch small,
pyriform 0.25mm long and 0.06mm wide. Bursa elongated.

7. 53
Discussion:
The present form differs from all the above mentioned Indian
forms except type species Acanthosentis antespinus Verma & Dutta,
1929; A. Duttai Podder, 1938; A.vittatusi Verma, 1973; A. seenghalae
Chowhan et al, 1988; A. vancleavi Gupta & Fatma 1985 in having
Cement gland synctial with 6 nuclei. It further differs from A.
antespinus Verma & Dutta, 1929; A. Duttai Podder, 1938; A. vittatus!
Verma, 1973; A. seenghalae Chowhan et al, 1988; A. vancleavi Gupta
& Fatma 1985 in having collar spines spines arranged in 26 spiral
rows of 24-28 hooks in each row. It differs from A. bacailai Verma,
1973; A. bilaspurensis Chowhan el al, 1987; A. putitorae Chowhan et
al. 1988; A. gobindi Chowhan et al. 1987 in having Cement gland
synctial with 6 nuclei. All these differences are sufficient to create a
new species with specific name Acanthosentis santoshai n.sp. The new
species is named in honour of Late Dr. Santosh Kumari Saxena,
Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow for her
contribution in Helminthology.

8. Figure-Z: Acanthosentis punctatai n.sp.
(entire view of Male)
54
Acanthosentis punctatai n.sp.
(Fig.2)
Host: Channapunctatus (Bloch);Location: Intestine; Locality: River
Gomti, Shaheed Smarak, Lucknow (Latitude 26°5 l '47"N and
Longitude 80°55'42'E); Prevalence: 12 Specimens from 03 hosts out
of 20 examined; Accession No: UGC/2011-2012/02.

9. SS
Body spinose, small broad in middle half of trunk, slightly
curved. Trunk spines present closely at anterior region of body but
wider apart as they proceed backward, posterior region of body also
covered with spines in mature specimen. Body 3.02mm long and
0.98mm wide. Proboscis short; sub-globular in shape, with 3 circles
of hooks each circle bearing 6 hooks. Proboscis O. l 3mm long and
0.08mm wide. Hooks of anterior region 0.07mm long, and of posterior
region 0.05mm long. Neck highly reduced. Proboscis receptacle
cylindrical with a single layered wall. Lemnisci cylindrical and longer
than proboscis sac, unequal. Proboscis receptacle 0.26mm long and
0.12mm wide. Lemniscus of left side smaller, 0.76mm long and
0.07mm wide. Lemniscus of tight side longer, 0.84mm longer and
0.07mm wide. Body covered with collar and trunk spines arranged in
22 spiral rows of 26-40 hooks in each row. Collar spines of anterior
region O.Olmm in size and collar spines of posterior region 0.015mm
in size. Testes oval, sub-equal; tandem united by genital ligament in
middle , · posterior half of trunk. Anterior testis 0.42mm long and
0.1 Smr. le. Posterior testis smaller than anterior testis, 0.30mm
long and 0.22mm wide. Cement glands oval in shape, massed together
behind posterior testi- 0 l7mm long and 0.12mm wide. Cement gland
small sync.: "l w rth 5 nuclei. Cement reservoir 0.11 mm long and
0.08mm wide. Saefftigen' s pouch pyriform 0.18mm long and 0.06mm
wide. Bursa elongate, without diverticula,

10. 56
REFERENCES.
Amin, O.M. & Hendrix, S.S .. 1999. Acanthocephalaof cichlids (Pisces)
in Lake Malawi, Africa with a description of Acanthogyrus
(Acanthosentis) malawiensis sp.n. (Quadrigyridae) from Labeo
cylindricus Peters, ! 852 (Cyprinidae). J. Helminthol. Soc.
Washington, 66: 47-55.
Authors are thankful to Prof Nirupama Agrawal, Department
of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow for providin,; access of
Phase Contrast Microscope. The present work is part of UGC Major
Research Project. We arc grateful to University Grants Commission,
New Delhi for providing financial assistant to this work.
The present form differs from all the above mentioned Indian
forms except Acanthosentis bilaspurensis Chowhan et al, 1987; A.
putitorae Chowhan et al. 1988; A. seenghalae Chowhan et al, 1988 in
having collar and body spines arranged in 22 spiral rows of 26-40
hooks in each row. It further differs from A. bilaspurensis Chowhan et
al, 1987; A. putitorae Chowhan et al. 1988; A. seenghalae Chowhan
et al, J 988 and other above mentioned forms except A. shuklai Agarwal
& singh, 1982 in having Cement gland synctial with 5 nuclei. All
these differences are sufficient to create a new species with specific
name Acanthosenti: punctati n.sp. The new species is named on the
host of this parasite.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Discussion:

11. 57
Amin, O.M. 1985. Classification. In: Crompton, D.W.T. & Nickol,
B.B. (Eds). Biology of the Acanthocephala. Cambridge
University Press, pp. 27-72.
Amin, O.M. 2005. Occurrence of the subgenus Acanthosentis Verma
& Dutta, 1929 (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) in Japan, with
the description of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) altematspinus
n. sp. and A. (A.) parareceptaclis n. sp. from Lake Biwa
drainage fishes and a key to the species of the subgenus.
Systematic Parasitol., 60: 125-137.
Bhattacharya, S .B. 2007. Order Gyracanthocephala Van Cleave, 1936.
In: Handbook on Indian Acanthocephala. Edited by Zoological
Survey of India, Kolkata. p.p. 41-71.
Chowhan, J.S., Gupta, N.K. & Khera, S. 1987. On two new species of
the genus Acanthosentis Verma et Dutta, 1929
(Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) from fresh water fishes. Res.
Bull. Punjab Univ. Sci., 38 : 59-85.
Chowhan, J.S., Gupta, N.K. & Khera, S. 1988. On A. putitorae sp.rnw.
and A. seenghalae sp. nov. (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae)
from fresh water fishes of Northern India. Res. Bull. Punjab
Univ. Sci., 39 : 197-206.
Golvan, Y.J. 1959. Le Phylum des Acanthocephala. Dei.xierne note.
La Classe de Eoacanthocephala (Van Cleave, 1936). An ales
de Parasitologie Hutnaine et Coniparee, 34: 5-52.
Galvan, Y.J. 1994. Nomenclature of the Acanthocephala. Research
and Reviews in Parasitology, 54: 135-205.

12. 58
Soota, T.D. & Sen, J.K. 1954. On a new species of Acanthosentis
Verma et Dutta, 1929 from Glossogobius giuris (Ham). Rec.
Ind. Mus., 52: 363-365.
Gupta, N.K. & Jain, M. 1980. On a new species of Acanthocephalan
parasite Acanthosentis golvani n.sp. from a fresh water fish at
Chandigarh. Revta. Jber. Parasit;, 40: 149-160.
Gupta, S.P. & Kakaji, V.L. 1969. A new acanthocephalan parasite,
Acanthosentis carmeroni n.sp. from the intestine of a fresh water
fish, Rohtee cotio Sykes, 1839 from Lucknow. J. Fish Res.
Bd. Can., 26 : 965-974.
Gupta, V. and Fatma, S. 1985. On some acanthocephalan parasites
(Quadrigyridae) from fishes of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Indian 1. Helminth., 37: 149-180.
Podder, T.N. 1938. A new species of Acanthocephala, Acanthosentis
Duttai n.sp. from a fresh water fish of Bengal, Barbus ticto
and B. stigma. Parasitology, 30 : 171-175.
Podder, T.N. 1941. On a new Acanthocephala, Acanthosentis sircari
sp.n. from a Calcutta fish, Rasbora elonga (Ham). Rec. Ind.
Mus., 43 : 137-142.
Prasad, D., Sahay, U. & Shambhunath, G. 1969. On a new species of
an Acanthocephala of the Genus Acaruhosentis Verma & Dutta,
1929 from a fresh water fish Hilsa ilisha. Zool. Anz., 183 :
278-283.

13. 59
Srivastava, G.J. 2002. Fishes of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Ninth Edition.
Published by Vishwavidyalaya Prakashan, Varanasi, India.
p.p.1-203
Thapar, G.S. 1927. On Acanthogyrus n.g. from the intestine of the
Indian fish, Labeo rohita, with a note on the classification of
the Acanthocephala. J. Helmint., 5 : 109-120.
Tripathi, Y.R. 1959. Studies on parasites of Indian fishes, 5,
Acanthocephala. Rec. Indian Mus., 54: 61-99.
Van Cleave, H.J. 1920. Two new genera and species of
Acanthocephalous worm from Venezuelan fishes. Proc. Nat.
Mus., 58: 455-466.
Van Cleave, H.J. 1928. Two new genera and species of Acanthocephala
from fishes of India. Rec. Indian Mus., 30: 147-149.
Van Cleave, H.J. 1936. The recognition of a new order in the
Acanthocephala. J. Parasit., 22 : 202-206.
Verma, S.C. & Dutta, M.N. 1929. Acanthocephala from Northern India,
1, A new genus Acanthosentis from a Calcutta fish. Ann. Trop.
Med. Pardsit., 23: 483-500.
Verma, S.L. 1973. Acanthosentis baccailai n.sp. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.,
43 : Sec. B: 265-272.
Yamaguti, S. 1971. Systema Helminthum, Volume V, Ac..nthocephala.
Interscience Publishers. A division of John Wiley & New York.
Londan. p.p. 1-423.