Myxobolus harikensis sp. nov. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infecting fins of Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.)--an Indian major carp in Harike Wetland, Punjab (India).

During a study of myxosporean parasites of freshwater fishes of Punjab Wetlands, India, one new myxosporean species, Myxobolus harikensis sp. nov. was recorded from the caudal fin of Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Plasmodia are small, white, spherical-to-rounded and are present on the caudal fin (in between the fin rays) having two to five spores per plasmodium. Spores of M. harikensis measure 10.1 × 8.5 μm in size, pyriform in valvular view and lenticular in sutural view pointing in the direction to the plane of slightly bent sutural line. Shell valves are thick, smooth, asymmetric and flattened at the sutural plane. Parietal folds are absent. Polar capsules are two, prominently unequal, broadly pyriform-to-rounded in shape and lie at different levels in the spore body cavity. The larger polar capsule is 5.0 × 3.1 μm in size, placed anteriorly on the sutural plane and opening to the exterior anteriolaterally. The smaller polar capsule measures 1.7 × 1.4 μm in size, placed posteriorly, perpendicular to the sutural plane and opening to the exterior mediolaterally. Spores of M. harikensis closely resembles to that of Myxobolus africanus in having polar capsules placed at different levels in the spore body cavity, however, are unique in having unequal polar capsules both discharging laterally.