P.K. SANGHAI, H.S. KSHIRSAGAR AND S. A. KULKARNI
Abstract
To study the morphology of rumen ciliate protozoa from the subfamilies Diplodiniinae and Ophryocolecinae. Rumen fluid samples were observed from adult Indian cattle Bos indicus. The present paper deals with the morphology of two new species from the genus Diplodinium. Their body dimensions frequency distribution and variations of characters are recorded. Comparative comments are made on their specific features. Diplodinium sphericulatum is recognized by having large rounded body thick spherical macronucleus, micronucleus around the macronucleus and thick blunt ventral lobe. Diplodinium posterotriangulatum is recognized by the presence of small ovoid body thick rod shaped macronucleus, micronucleus in the middorsal region of the macronucleus. Posterior region is slight triangular in shape with a small blunt ventral lobe.