author(s)
Pradeep HD, Swapnil S Shirke, Nashad M and S Moalisha Devi

abstract
The present study reports the first occurrence of ectoparasite Pandarus cranchii infested on new host species “pelagic thresher shark, Alopias pelagicus” from the Andaman Sea. Total 11 specimens of P. cranchii were collected from the region of cloacal aperture and pelvic fins of a female A. pelagicus having a total length of 2650 mm and weighing 35 kg. It was caught by multifilament tuna longline vessel MFV Blue Marlin during July 2015 voyage as bycatch in the Andaman Sea. The sea surface temperature (SST) recorded at the sampling area was 28 °C. All the parasite specimens collected were found to be females with a size range of 4.3–6.5 mm (excluding egg sacs). The hanging –drop method was applied to examine the dissected appendages under the compound microscope and hand drawings were made to establish their identity. Detailed reports of P. cranchii from different geographical locations and diversity of the host species are also provided.