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Gregarina niphandrodes (Eugregarinorida: Septatorina): oocyst surface architecture
J Janovy1, M G Bolek, J Detwiler
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0118, USA. jjanovy1@unl.edu
The Journal of Parasitology
|July 14, 2007
Summary
Scanning electron microscopy revealed unique surface ridges on Gregarina niphandrodes oocysts from Tenebrio molitor. These structural details offer new characters for gregarine systematics research.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Electron Microscopy
- Systematics
Background:
- Gregarines are apicomplexan parasites with complex life cycles.
- Understanding oocyst morphology is crucial for gregarine classification.
- Previous descriptions of Gregarina niphandrodes lacked detailed surface ultrastructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface architecture of Gregarina niphandrodes oocysts using scanning electron microscopy.
- To identify potential new morphological characters for gregarine systematics.
Main Methods:
- Gametocysts of Gregarina niphandrodes from Tenebrio molitor adults were induced to dehisce.
- Oocyst chains were mounted on stubs and sputter-coated with gold palladium.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed using a Hitachi 3000N SEM at 10-15 kV.
Main Results:
- Oocysts exhibited characteristic shapes with uniform longitudinal ridges on either side of a central equatorial bulge.
- No external sheath enclosing the oocyst chain was observed.
- Oocyst ends were slightly flared, and the chains were twisted with offset adjacent oocysts.
Conclusions:
- The study provides detailed SEM-based surface ultrastructure of Gregarina niphandrodes oocysts.
- Identified surface features, such as longitudinal ridges and chain morphology, offer potentially valuable characters for gregarine systematics.
- This research enhances the morphological dataset for classifying gregarine species.
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