ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to examine the filarial nematodes of house sparrow [Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)] and Sindh sparrow (P. pyrrhonotus Blyth, 1844) from Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.

Twenty-three house sparrows and 12 Sindh sparrows were examined for nematode parasites. A total of seven birds were found infected by 16 filarial worms belonging to the genus Diplotriaena Railliet and Henry, 1909. Birds were dissected and parasites were processed through the standard method of temporary slide mounting. Live worms were found embedded in the lungs of the host.

The present specimens were known to be new to science. It is the first record of species of both domestic and Sindh sparrows in Pakistan. The prevalence and male–female ratio of the present species were conducted.

The present species was named as Diplotriaena passeri. This name is given to new nematode species on the name of its type host. It was compared with previously known species of the genus Diplotriaena on the basis of their diagnostic characteristics. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2015; 39: 265-9)

Keywords: Diplotriaena, species novum, Passer domesticus, Passer pyrrhonotus, Pakistan