SEM study of cephalic region of Tanqua tiara and Tanqua anomala (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) from Asansol coal-field area (W.B.) India

From the Asansol region of district Paschim Bardhaman of West Bengal, India two parasitic nematodes belonging to same genus, Tanqua tiara from the stomach of Water monitor lizard, Varanus flavescens and Tanqua anomala from the intesine of Asiatic water snake, Xenochropis piscator were recovered. The Surface structures of head region of both nematodes have been examined with Scanning electron microscope. The mouth region of both species is characterised by presence of two large pseudolabia followed by cephalic bulb. Each pseudolabium bears a pair of submedian cephalic papillae and a lateral amphid. T. tiara has four large cephalic bulbs whereas T. anomala has two large cephalic bulbs. Asansol industrial region is recorded as new geographical area for this parasite.