Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T13:46:11.651Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The life-cycle of Rasajeyna nannyla n.gen., n.sp., a coccidian pathogen of Tipula paludosa Meigen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. E. Beesley
J. E. Beesley
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Zoology, School of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

A coccidium belonging to the family Adeleidae was discovered in the mid-gut cells of Tipula paludosa. A new genus Rasajeyna and a new species nannyla are established because this pathogen differs from previously described coccidia. A diagnosis of R. nannyla is given.

The endogenous phase of R. nannyla is restricted to larvae. The oocysts, which are the external phase of the parasite, are swallowed by the leatherjackets and excyst in the anterior mid-gut. The sporozoites, 36·5 µm (± 5·4 µm, 95% confidence limits) long, 15·7 µm (± 1·8 µm, 95% confidence limits) wide, each containing a refractile body, enter the anterior mid-gut cells where the 1st schizogony occurs. The refractile bodies are retained during the early nuclear divisions. The sausage-shaped merozoites, 28·2 µm (± 4·3 µm, 95% confidence limits) long, 7·1 µm (± 0·9 µm, 95% confidence limits) wide, with posterior nuclei exhibit three distinct types of movement. (a) An active flexion of the body which is thought to occur during the intracellular phase. (b) A flicking action by both ends of the body. This is thought to occur during the free phase. (c) A spiralling motion which is thought to aid the entry of the merozoite into the cells.

The nucles of the intracellular merozoite divides several times, forming a multinucleate body. The merozoites of the 2nd schizogony form in groups at the poles of the schizont. The merozites are indistinguishable from each other until after a period of growth has ensued, when they are differentiated as macro- and microgametocytes. The pear-shaped macrogamete 44·3 µm (± 4·5 µm, 95% confidence limits) long, 21·6 µm (± 3·2 µm, 95% confidence limits) wide, which contains a crescent-shaped structure in the nucleus. The microgametocyte grows to 40·3 µm (± 2·7 µm, 95% confidence limits) long, 16·7 µm (± 1·5 µm, 95% confidence limits) wide and then attaches itself lengthwise to the macrogamete. A membrane is then secreted around both partners. Nuclear division produces 4 microgametes, one of which fertilizes the female. The 1st and 2nd oocyst membranes are deposited before cytoplasmic shrinkage and meiosis. The zygote is 44·6 µm (± 4·2 µm, 95% confidence limits) long and 33·7 µm (± 4·1 µm, 95% confidence limits ) wide. Cytoplasmic condensation around the nuclei forms the sporoblasts which mature into sporocysts each containing 1 sporozoite. The zygote may be expelled from the larvae at any juncture after fertilization.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 74 , Issue 3 , June 1977 , pp. 273 - 283
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beesley, J. E. (1975). Adelina tipulae, a coccidian pathogen of pastureland Tipulidae. Ph.D. thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.Google Scholar
Bhatia, M. L. (1937). On Adelina tribolii, a coccidian parasite of Tribolium ferrugineum F. Parasitology 29, 239–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canning, E. U. & Anwar, M. (1968). Studies on meiotic division in coccidial and malarial parasites. Journal of Protozoology 15, 290–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hauschka, T. S. (1943). Life history and chromosome cycle of the coccidian Adelina deronis. Journal of Morphology 73, 529–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Honigberg, B. M., Balamuth, W., Bovee, E. C., Corliss, J. O., Gojdics, M., Hall, R. P., Kudo, R. R., Levine, N. D., Loeblich, A. R. Jr., Weiser, J. & Wenrich, D. H. (1964). A revised classification of the phylum Protozoa. Journal of Protozoology 11, 7–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kudo, R. R. (1966). Protozoology. 5th ed. pp. 1174. Springfield: C. C. Thomas.Google Scholar
Milne, A., Coggins, R. E. & Laughlin, R. (1958). The determination of numbers of leather jackets in sample turves. Journal of Animal Ecology 27, 125–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roudabush, R. L. (1935). Merozoite infection in coccidiosis. Journal of Parasitology 21, 453–4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shortt, H. E. & Cooper, W. (1948). Staining of microscopical sections containing protozoal parasites by modification of McNamara's method. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 41, 427–8.Google Scholar
Weiser, J. & Beard, R. L. (1959). Adelina sericesthis n.sp., a new coccidian parasite of Scarabaeid larvae. Journal of Insect Pathology 1, 99–106.Google Scholar
Yarwood, E. A. (1937). Life-cycle of Adelina cryptocerci sp. nov., a coccidian parasite of the roach, Crytocercus punctulatus. Parasitology 29, 370–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar