Abstract
Descriptive and experimental studies were made on Moniliformis dubius development. In the intermediate host, Periplaneta americana, two acanthor stages, six acanthella stages, and the cystacanth stage were recognized. In stage I acanthellae much of the central nuclear mass has become cellular; in stage II acanthellae protonephridial primordia were observed. The cystacanth is laterally compressed. Differentiation of the body wall musculature is almost complete after 1 week in the definitive host. Larval development rate was not affected by age of host (i.e., middle or late nymphal instar or adult) or sex of adult host, or by the presence of large numbers of larvae. Different stages of acanthella development may occur within a single roach. Injection of larval stages into the hemocoel of previously uninfected roaches did not impair subsequent development. Preadult worms were established in previously uninfected rats by surgical transfer. Successful transferral of life cycle stages may be useful in further studies of morphogenesis. Moniliformis dubius Meyer, 1933 has become the most commonly used acanthocephalan for experimental investigations. Recently published work on this species includes studies of the metabolism (Bryant and Nicholas, 1965; Edmonds, 1965; Graff, 1965); cystacanth excystment (Graff and Kitzman, 1965); in vitro culture (Nicholas and Grigg, 1965); ultrastructure of the tegument (Nicholas and Mercer, 1965); and chromosomes (Robinson, 1965). The purpose of the present study was to obtain a detailed cytological and morphological picture of normal development patterns in M. dubius as a preliminary to the investigation of the effects of exposure of various life cycle stages to ionizing radiation. A comprehensive account of the development of M. dubius is not given here. Such a description would be redundant in view of the published accounts of the life cycle and development of this species (Yamaguti and Miyata, 1942; Moore, 1946). However, some features of normal development and developmental variation which are not mentioned in earlier accounts are given in this report, together with details of parasite transferral techniques of potential use in experimental studies of larval and adult develop-
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call