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Indicators of sexual maturation and regression in the female cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis
Author(s) -
WILLIAMS BERNICE
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2915.1991.tb00563.x
Subject(s) - biology , flea , ctenocephalides , felis , zoology , cats , medicine
. Differences in the salivary glands, mesenteron epithelium and reproductive organs of female cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis Bouche (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), are related to the degree of reproductive maturation or regression. Contrary to previous ideas, blue bodies in the ovarioles are degenerate oocyte nuclei and their presence denotes failure of ripening oocytes to reach full maturity. A distinction between true corpora lutea and pseudo‐corpora lutea is established, the presence of the former indicates successful oviposition, and of the latter, failure to complete maturation of eggs. Accurate indicators of sexual maturation and reproductive success are of potential value in assessing relative suitability of various hosts for a given flea species and therefore in assessing the degree of host specificity among fleas.