V. N. Capoor

A contribution to the study of taxa differentiation in cestode taxonomy

A new approach for differentiating between different groups of individuals on the basis of statistical evaluation of pairs of attributes (each member belonging to different group) is proposed. The “polythetic divisive ” classificatory method is employed. The methods discussed may prove helpful in establishing precise interspecific variations as also the variability amongst various higher taxa in cestode taxonomy thus contributing a support in the direction of revision attempts of future workers.

Amino acids of Hymenolepis palmarum (Johri, 1956) and chemotaxonomic studies on hymenolepidid cestodes

Chemotaxonomic patterns in the distribution of amino acids of Hymenolepis palmarum (Johri, 1956) and other hymenolepidids revealed the common presence of beta-aminoisobutyric acid, lysine, phenylalanine and tyrosine but 3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine and norleucine were exclusive to H. palmarum. Both qualitative and quantitative differences in amino acids have been recorded.

Comparative analysis of amino acids of three species of gangesia (Cestoda: Proteocephalata)

A total of 21 amino acids were detected in the present investigations on three species of Gangesia (Cestoda: Proteocephalata) viz. G. bengalensis Woodland, 1924, G. hanumanthai Seth & Capoor, 1982 and G sanehensis Malhotra et al., 1981. The study was conducted in a sub-humid region around Allahabad, India. The implications of amino acid utilization in metabolic activities of fish tapeworms have been discussed.

Chemotaxonomic studies on davaineid tapeworms, based on amino acid analysis.

Twelve amino acids were detected in six davaineid cestodes, Davainea hewetensis Dhawan & Capoor (1972) collected from one Gallus gallus domesticus L. at Allahabad, India. Chemotaxonomic studies within the family Davaineidae have shown the presence of cystine and hydroxyproline only in D. hewetensis, although phenylalanine and proline occur in all species examined previously.

Redescription ofRaillietina (Raillietina) kordofanensis Meggitt and Subramanian, 1927 with a taxonometric approach

Redescription ofRaillietina (Raillietina) kordofanensis, Meggitt and Subramanian (1927) from a new host, viz.,Columba livia domestica is made. The specimens closely resemble the species described by Meggitt and Subramanian (1927) except in having a longer cirrus pouch and smaller rostellar hooks. The teratological aberrations, viz., the presence of two cirrus pouches in the same proglottid with internal seminal vesicle are also reported. Taxonometry in biostatistical terms reveal the closeness of two species.