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Gametogenesis and Sporogonic Development of Haemogregarina balli (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) in the Leech Placobdella ornata
Author(s) -
SIDDALL MARK E.,
DESSER SHERWIN S.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1990.tb01257.x
Subject(s) - biology , leech , parasite hosting , anatomy , ultrastructure , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , world wide web , computer science
. The sexual stages and sporogonic development of Haemogregarina balli an apicomplexan blood parasite of snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina were studied by electron microscopy for 30 days post feeding (PF). Gamonts were invested by an extracellular sheath which fused with intestinal microvilli. All stages of development were observed epicellularly within intestinal epithelial cells of the leech Placobdella ornata. Nuclear division in microgametogenesis was characterized by a trans‐nuclear cytoplasmic channel containing the spindle fibers. Basal bodies associated with nuclear division were unpaired with an atypical (8 + 0) microtubular conformation. Four aflagellate microgametes were formed. During fertilization, a single microgamete was enclosed in a pocket of a microgamont. The pocket was lined by a dense layer and underlying ER. In sporogony, nuclei were invested by a trilaminar pellicle as they divided, forming four anlagen. Each anlage divided by longitudinal binary fission forming eight sporozoites in mature oocysts. Sporozoites penetrated the intestinal epithelium by 27 days PF.