NEW HOST RECORD FOR ECHINOCEPHALUS UNCINATUS (MOLIN 1858) KHAN AND BEGUM, 1971 FROM KAKINADA, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Echinocephalus uncinatus (single female) obtained from the intestine Pennahia macrophthalamus (Bleeker, 1850) from Kakinada, A.P., India is redescribed and figured. P. macrophthalamus represents a new host and a new locality record. A detailed description of the specimen has been furnished. The present species closely resembles E. uncinatus in having same (6) number of transverse rows of hooks on the head lobe, presence of a pair of cervical sacs and in Some body measurements but differs from the description of E. uncinatus in the number of hooks in each row (14-20 vs 26-40) and in the length of cervical sacs and oesophagus length. The variations in the morphology of E. uncinatus described by various authors have been mentioned. The present species tally with the principle characters of E. uncinatus (Molin, 1958) Khan and Begum, 1971. A detailed examination allowed us to consider the present species as E uncinatus (Molin, 1858) Khan and Begum 1971 albeit certain variations.