Two new species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting an Indian major carp and a cat fish in wetlands of Punjab, India.

A survey of parasites of freshwater fishes in Kanjali and Harike wetlands of Punjab (India) revealed the presence of two new myxosporean species belonging to the genus Myxobolus Bütschli (Winter (ed): Protozoa, 1882). Spores of the first species, M. saugati sp. nov. parasitizing scales of Labeo rohita (Cypriniformis: Cyprinidae) vern. rohu are characterized in having 'spores measuring 8.3 × 6.6 μm in size, oval to spherical in valvular view having rounded anterior and posterior ends; polar capsules are two, equal, measuring 4.0 × 2.4 μm, pyriform with distinct neck at the anterior end; an intercapsular process is absent'. Spores of the second species, Myxobolus szekeli sp. nov. parasitizing internal wall of stomach of Wallago attu (Cypriniformis: Siluridae) vern. mulle are '8.7 × 4.1 μm in size, elongately ovoidal in valvular view having tapering, bluntly pointed anterior end and rounded posterior end; polar capsules are two, equal, measuring 4.4 × 1.5 μm, tubular with blunt anterior and rounded posterior ends; polar capsules converge anteriorly but are placed at a distance posteriorly and occupies nearly half of the spore body cavity; an intercapsular process is absent'.