Three interesting nematodes from the fish Parupeneus indicus (Mullidae, Perciformes) of the Indian Ocean, including a new species, Ascarophis parupenei sp. n. (Habronematoidea).

In 1986, samples of the marine commercial fish Parupeneus indicus originating from the Indian Ocean near Somalia were examined for helminths. They proved to harbour three species of adult parasitic nematodes: Ascarophis parupenei sp. n., Philometra lateolabracis (Yamaguti, 1935), and Cucullanus himezi Yamaguti, 1941. A. parupenei sp. n. is characterized mainly by its non-filamented eggs with a fine flock-like coating, length ratio (1: 13-16) of the muscular and glandular parts of oesophagus, length of spicules (0.533-0.600 mm and 0.150-0.171 mm), structure of the head end and shape of the female tail. All these species are briefly described and illustrated and some problems concerning their taxonomy and geographical distribution are discussed.