Head Papillae Research Articles

Empidomermis cozii n.gen., n.sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) a parasite of Anopheles funestus (Culicidae: Diptera) in West Africa.

A new genus and species of mermithid nematode parasitizing adult females of Anopheles funestus (Giles) in Upper Volta is described. The new genus Empidomermis is characterized by having six head papillae, eight hypodermal cords, cuticle without noticeable cross fibers, two short slightly curved spicules (equal to or less than body width at cloaca), a relatively short S-shaped vagina, small amphids, and postparasitic juveniles with a well-developed tail appendage.The nematodes could only be successfully reared to maturity if the hosts were held on glucose 3–4 days after the blood meal. Postparasitic juvenile mermithids molted to the adult stage about 17 days after leaving their mosquito hosts and mating and oviposition occurred immediately afterwards. The eggs hatched about 54 days after oviposition when mosquito larvae were added to the container. Parasitized adult female A. funestus were sterilized and died soon after the nematodes emerged.