title: Animal Fascioliasis: Perspectives from high altitudinal regions.
abstract: The parasitic flukes of the genus Fasciola (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) cause fascioliasis or liver-rot disease in ruminant livestock in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Classically, two species of Fasciola- F. hepatica and F. gigantica, are universally recognized as taxonomically valid species. Our survey studies on ovid and bovid animals including yak and mithun from high altitudinal mountainous regions in Northeast India revealed the occurrence of Fasciola gigantica and also Fasciola sp.- an intermediate form, at altitudes between 5000 and 14,085 feet above sea level (asl). Two morphotypes- F. hepatica - like and F. gigantica - like, of Fasciola species were reported from the high altitudinal areas of Northeast India; most of these locales constitute new-locality and first records for the occurrence of these liver flukes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: Damanbha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lyngdoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: Bishnupada
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Northeastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India; Biotech Park, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226021, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: tandonveena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tandon
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005209:Fasciola / Q000502:physiology*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000502:physiology; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Fasciola gigantica; Fasciola species; Mitochondrial CO1; Mountainous regions; Northeast India; Nuclear ITS2