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Last Updated: November 1, 2025
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Dr. Vijay Laxmi Tandon’s 1982 thesis provides a critical bridge in the study of Digenetic Trematodes of Fishes in India. Beyond describing new species, the work meticulously compiles a comprehensive historical review and a systematic host-parasite checklist. This post will explore these foundational sections, which are invaluable for students of parasitology, fisheries science, and zoology, providing context for nearly a century of research.
- Reviews the principal researchers in Indian fish helminthology from 1913 onward.
- Provides a comprehensive host-parasite checklist for freshwater fish.
- Details an extensive host-parasite checklist for marine fish.
- Links the checklists to detailed systematic descriptions of new and known species.
Studies on Helminth Parasites of Indian Fishes
A Century of Science: The Historical Review
This section of the thesis (pp. 3-27) is a testament to the scientific principle of building on previous work. Tandon provides a dense, chronological review of the principal workers who have added to our knowledge on the taxonomy of ‘Digenetic trematodes of fishes’ from India.
“The principal workers who have added to our knowledge on the taxonomy of ‘Digenetic trematodes of fishes’ from India are:- Southwell (1913) described Isoparorchis trisimilitubius from Wallago attu…” (Tandon, 1982, p. 3).
This historical overview is not just a list of names; it’s a map of discovery. It traces the lineage of research from early 20th-century pioneers like Southwell (1913), Verma (1927), and Thapar (1930) through the prolific mid-century contributions of researchers like Srivastava, Dayal, and Gupta. For students, this section is a goldmine, illustrating how the field evolved from describing individual parasites in specific locations to building a comprehensive taxonomic framework for the entire subcontinent.
Student Note: Understanding the historical context of taxonomy is vital. Names like Srivastava, Gupta, and Dayal are foundational to Indian parasitology, and their work is frequently cited.
Professor’s Insight: The historical review demonstrates the student’s mastery of the field and establishes the gap that their own research will fill.
Mapping the Parasites: The Freshwater Fish Check-List
Following the historical review, the thesis presents its first major data compilation: the “Check-list of Digenetic trematodes of fishes of India”. This is meticulously organized, beginning with freshwater fishes (Section A).
“A: Fresh water fishes. Host: Ambassis nama Cuv. & Val. Parasites: Isoparorchis hypselobagri, Bhalerao, 1936. Locality: Poona” (Tandon, 1982, p. 28, formatted from table).
This checklist is the systematic backbone of the thesis. It is organized by fish host family (e.g., Percidae, Nandidae, Gobiidae) and then by species. For each fish host, it lists the known parasites, the author who first recorded that association, and the locality of the finding. Tandon’s own collections are integrated into this framework, validating past findings and adding new data points.
Student Note: A host-parasite list helps answer questions like, “Which parasites should I expect to find in this particular fish species from this river?”
Professor’s Insight: The localities listed (e.g., Poona, Allahabad, Lucknow, Hyderabad) are critical. They highlight that parasite distribution is geographically distinct, a key concept in biogeography and epidemiology.
| Freshwater Host Family | Host Species | Parasite Example | Locality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandidae | Nandus nandus | Clinostomum piscidium | Poona, Bengal |
| Gobiidae | Gobius giuris | Allocreadium nicolli | Allahabad |
| Ophiocephalidae | Ophiocephalus punctatus | Allocreadium handiai | Allahabad |
| Siluridae | Wallago attu | Isoparorchis trisimilitubius | Calcutta |
| Siluridae | Mystus seenghala | Haplorchoides attenuatum | Allahabad |
| Cyprinidae | Catla catla | Allocreadium catlai | Lucknow |
Table 1. Examples from the check-list of digenetic trematodes found in freshwater fishes, organized by host family (Tandon, 1982, pp. 28-50).
Beyond the Shore: The Marine Fish Check-List
Section B of the check-list (pp. 51-81) moves to marine fishes, demonstrating the breadth of the author’s survey, which included samples from Puri (Bay of Bengal) and Quilon (Arabian Sea).
“B: Marine fishes. Host: Family: Percidae Cuv. Lates calcarifer Bloch. Parasites: Stephanostomum cloacum Srivastava, 1938. Locality: Puri” (Tandon, 1982, p. 51, formatted from table).
Similar to the freshwater section, this list is organized by host fish family and provides a rapid reference for marine parasite fauna. By compiling records from diverse sources alongside her own findings, Tandon created one of the most comprehensive single resources for Indian marine fish trematodes available at the time.
Student Note: Notice the different parasite genera found in marine vs. freshwater hosts. This demonstrates host specificity and environmental adaptation.
Professor’s Insight: Some fish names have since been updated by taxonomists. A modern researcher would cross-reference the host names with databases like WoRMS or FishBase.
| Marine Host Family | Host Species | Parasite Example | Locality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percidae | Serranus diacanthus | Pleorchis indicum | Kanyakumari |
| Sciaenidae | Sciaena carutta | Lecithocladium carultum | Bombay |
| Carangidae | Caranx kalla | Acanthocolpus orientalis | Puri |
| Stromateidae | Stromateus cinereus | Lecithocladium annulatum | Bombay |
| Clupeidae | Engraulis mystax | Bacciger cochinensis | Cochin |
| Siluridae | Arius dussumieri | Decemtestis mehrai | Ernakulam |
Table 2. A selection of digenetic trematodes found in marine fishes, based on the check-list in Tandon (1982, pp. 51-81).
From List to Description: The Systematic Account
The check-lists serve as an index for the main descriptive body of the thesis. Here, Tandon provides detailed morphology for many of the species listed, especially the new ones she discovered.
“Two specimens of this form were collected from a marine fish Glyphidodon bengalensis (Gunther) from Bay of Bengal, at Puri, Orissa… The new form differs from all these forms in having vitellaria confluent anterior to ovary… Accordingly, it is regarded as a new species with specific name Acanthocolpus thapari n.sp.” (Tandon, 1982, p. 117, 120).
This section is where the check-list “comes alive.” A name on the list, like Acanthocolpus thapari n.sp., is given a full scientific description. This includes body shape and size, precise measurements of all organs, and a “Discussion” section. In this discussion, the author justifies why it is a new species by comparing its unique features to all other known species in the genus.
Student Note: The “Discussion” or “Remarks” section in a taxonomic paper is where the main argument happens. It is where the author defends their classification by comparing their specimen to the established literature.
Professor’s Insight: The naming of species, like Acanthocolpus thapari, often honors a respected colleague or mentor.
Our team at Professor of Zoology has prepared this analysis. All content, unless cited as a direct quote from the original thesis, is new, original writing intended to make this academic work accessible for educational use.
Note: This summary was drafted with AI assistance and was thoroughly reviewed, edited, and verified for accuracy by a human editor.
Author & Reviewer:
Dr. Abubakar Siddiq, PhD (Zoology)
Dr. Siddiq is a specialist in vertebrate biology and taxonomy, serving as the lead editor for theses and dissertations at Professor of Zoology.
This article provides a summary of a publicly available academic thesis. The original author, Vijay Laxmi Tandon, holds the copyright to the full thesis.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Tandon’s 1982 thesis compiles a foundational historical review of Digenetic Trematodes of Fishes in India.
- A major component of the work is a systematic “Check-list” of parasites, separated into freshwater and marine fish hosts.
- These checklists are organized by host fish family and include the parasite, the original author, and the locality.
- The thesis documents parasites from diverse host families, including Siluridae, Cyprinidae, Percidae, and Sciaenidae.
- The checklists serve as an index for the detailed “Systematic Account,” where new and known species are described in full morphological detail.
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
- 1. According to the historical review, which researcher from 1913 is cited for describing Isoparorchis trisimilitubius?
- a) Verma (1927)
- b) Srivastava (1933)
- c) Southwell (1913)
- d) Thapar (1930)
- 2. The host-parasite check-list in the thesis is organized first by what category?
- a) Parasite family
- b) Fish host family
- c) Geographical locality
- d) Year of discovery
- 3. The new species Acanthocolpus thapari n.sp. was named in honor of whom?
- a) Dr. S. P. Gupta
- b) Dr. H. D. Srivastava
- c) Dr. S. Yamaguti
- d) Dr. G. S. Thapar
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is a “check-list” in parasitology? It is a systematic list that organizes known parasites with their specific hosts, geographical locations, and the original scientific citation for that record.
- Did this thesis only find parasites in freshwater fish? No. The research was comprehensive, including a large section on marine fishes collected from locations like Puri, Pondicherry, and Quilon.
- Why does the thesis cite so many other scientists? The “Historical Review” and “Discussion” sections compare new findings to all previously published work to establish originality and context.
- What is the difference between a host family and host species? A family (e.g., Siluridae) is a broad taxonomic rank, like “catfish.” A species (e.g., Wallago attu) is a specific type of catfish within that family.
- What is a “Camera lucida”? It is an optical device mentioned in the methods that allows a scientist to see both their specimen and their drawing paper simultaneously for highly accurate illustrations.
Lab / Practical Note
When creating taxonomic illustrations, accuracy is paramount. This thesis used a Camera lucida. In a modern lab, this is often replaced by a microscope with a digital camera and imaging software. All scientific drawings must include a scale bar to be valid.
For further research on fish parasite taxonomy and checklists, these resources are invaluable:
Primary Source: Tandon, V. L. (1982). Studies on Helminth Parasites of Indian Fishes. Doctoral Thesis, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, India.
Pages Used for this Summary: 1, 3, 5, 20, 28-82, 90, 94, 117-122, 154-157, 190, 225, 234, 239, 251-464, 1729-1952.
Note: Page citations refer to the page numbers printed on the thesis pages, not PDF pagination.
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