title: First report of blood parasites in fishes from Kashmir and their effect on the haematological profile.
abstract: Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus, Carassius carassius Linnaeus, Schizothorax curvifrons Heckel and Triplophysa marmorata species of fishes were captured from Anchar Lake and river Jhelum of Kashmir Himalaya for hematological and parasitological analysis. During the investigation haemoflagellates from the genus Babesiosoma and Trypanosoma were recorded in the blood smears. Trypanosomes were present in all the species except C. carpio, whereas Babesiosoma were only found in T. marmorata. Haematological analysis revealed a significant (p<0.01) reduction in red blood cell count in the fishes infected with Babesiosoma and Trypanosoma. A significant decrease (p<0.05) was recorded in haemoglobin value and packed cell volume in the infected fishes in comparison to the non-infected fishes.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shahi
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Yousuf
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Rather
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yaseen
keywords: Babesiosoma; Fish parasites; Hematology; Kashmir waters; Trypanosoma mukasai