Conclusions

Abstract

The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea parts of the Indian Ocean are fairly well represented in the global literature on digenetic trematodes of marine fishes. Several scientists have contributed to this knowledge on the digenean fauna of marine fishes of India. An overview of the fauna is presented in the Checklist published on digenetic trematodes of Indian marine fishes (Madhavi, 2011). The knowledge, however, is incomplete and several species of marine fish and vast areas along the coasts remain to be explored for their digenean fauna. The present analysis on the fauna has been undertaken with a view to gain information on the present status of the knowledge, identify the areas for future investigations and stimulate research in this subject employing traditional and modern technologies. The ultimate aim is to convert the area into a full-fledged and well-explored area for digenean parasites.