Taxonomical Study of Cestode Parasite Taenia taeniaeformis (=Hydatigera taeniaeformis) In Common Cat, Felis domesticus From Ahmednagar, India

Abstract The present communication deals with the taxonomical description of cestode parasite Taenia taeniaeformis commonly known as feline tapeworm. The neck is almost as broad as the scolex and segmentation begins immediately behind the scolex. The scolex of T. taeniaeformis is armed with a large double circle of 40-45 hooks and four clearly lateral suckers. Hooks are claw hammer shaped, smaller hooks measures 0.236(0.248-0.255) mm in length and 0.073 (0.071-0.075) mm in breath. Large hooks are measures 0.380(0.350-0.411) mm in lengths and 0.102 (0.100-0.104) mm in breath. Mature segments are craspedote slightly broader than long. Testes are small rounded numerous in number, ovary bilobed trace follicular, unequal. The vagina is thick, wide and ventral to the cirrus pouch. Vitelline gland is large, elongated transversely and triangular in shape. Gravid segments contains uterus and forms 11-13 digitiform lateral branches.