title: A new record of parasitic isopod for the Indian fauna (Mothocya karobran Bruce, 1986) from Strongylura strongylura in the Pazhayar region, Southeast coast of India.
abstract: Cymothoid isopods are permanent ectoparasites of fish. In the present study Strongylura strongylura captured in gillnets from the inshore waters of Pazhayar from January to March-12. Among the 122 Belonidae fishes examined, 16 specimens were parasitized by isopods belonging to the species Mothocya karobran, a new record of this cymothoid isopod for the first time from India. Lowest prevalence occurred in January (10.5 %) and the highest in February (15.9 %). The infected fishes usually carried one cymothoid per branchial cavity. 12 parasites were found in the left branchial cavity and 4 parasites in the right. The non ovigerous female (18.5-24.7 mm) and female ovigerous (20.8-27.4 mm) in total length.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Ganapathy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rameshkumar
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Samuthirapandian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravichandran
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Kanagasabapathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sivasubramanian
keywords: Mothocya karobran; New record; Parasitic isopod; Pazhayar; Strongylura strongylura