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The first description of eggs in the male reproductive system of Physaloptera bispiculata (Nematoda: Spiruroidaea)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2010

A. Oliveira-Menezes ,
A. Lanfredi-Rangel  and
R.M. Lanfredi
A. Oliveira-Menezes*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Biologia de Helmintos Otto Wucherer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Bloco G, CEP 21949-902Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
A. Lanfredi-Rangel
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Biologia de Protozoários e Unidade de Microscopia Eletrônica, Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Muniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Candeal, Salvador, BahiaCEP 40296-710, Brazil
R.M. Lanfredi
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Biologia de Helmintos Otto Wucherer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Bloco G, CEP 21949-902Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
*
*Fax: +55 (21) 2280-8193 E-mail: alek@biof.ufrj.br
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Abstract

Physaloptera bispiculata (Nematoda: Spiruroidaea) is a parasite of Nectomys squamipes (Rodentia: Cricetidae), a water rat that only occurs in Brazil. Naturally infected rodents were captured in the municipality of Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adult P. bispiculata worms were collected, prepared and analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Under scanning electron microscopy, several eggs were seen glued by cement to the cloacal aperture. Light microscopy revealed that some male worms had an uncountable number of embryonated eggs in the ejaculatory duct, cloaca and also in the posterior portion of the intestine. The probable explanation is that the eggs developing in the female uterus are pumped by the female or sucked by the male to the cloacal opening and from this point to the intestine and ejaculatory duct. The male probably does not have the ability to expel the eggs and for this reason a large number were found in these organs. On the other hand, this could be an important adaptation for the parasite, i.e. male worms expelled by the host can carry a large number of eggs and spread them to intermediate hosts when ingested by these hosts. As far as we know this is the first record of a physalopterid nematode harbouring eggs in the cloacal region, ejaculatory duct or intestine.

Type
Regular research papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 85 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 142 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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