Dipetalonema witei, Filarial Parasite of the Jird, Meriones libycus. II. The Reproductive System, Gametogenesis and Development of the Microfilaria

Abstract

The filarial parasite Dipetalonema witei is found naturally infecting the Libyan jird Meriones libycus; the adult worms live in the subcutaneous tissues and external miuscle layers; the microfilariae circulate in the blood and are transiiuitted by the argasid tick Ortnithodors.s t(arta'.ovskyi. The parasite is easily maintained in the laboratory, (Baltazard et al (1953); WortIms, Terry and Terry (1961)) and provides suitable material for morphological studies. This paper describes the reproductive system, gametogenesis, anid developmlent of the microfilariae.