Scholarlink

Background <p>The genus <i>Retractocephalus</i> Haldar and Chakraborty, 1976 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida), known for its retractable globular epimerite, comprises twelve species, with <i>Retractocephalus aulacophorae</i> commonly infecting <i>Aulacophora intermedia</i>. This species was previously described solely using camera lucida drawings. Present study provides a detailed morphological redescription of the life cycle stages of <i>R. aulacophorae</i> using DIC microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy alongside of an assessment of its prevalence and seasonal variation.</p> Results <p>Trophozoites are narrowly elliptoid (40.7–397.4&#xa0;μm), possessing a large globular epimerite and a broadly ovoid protomerite. Association is primarily biassociative and caudofrontal, with occasional multiple linear syzygies involving three gamonts, and epimerite retention in the primite were also observed. Gametocysts are orbicular (146.9–196.4&#xa0;μm), and spores are dolioform (9.9 × 4.2&#xa0;μm), released in cohesive chains. SEM reveals longitudinal, undulatory epicytic folds (3.5–4.5 per micron) on gamonts, forming a circular ring at the satellite’s protomerite during association, allowing a firm connection. Out of 235 host individuals, 161 were infected (prevalence 68.51%).</p> Conclusions <p><i>Retractocephalus aulacophorae</i> is distinguished by diverse syzygy patterns, occasional epimerite retention, lower epicytic fold density, and a distinctive circular ring of elevated epicytic folds for secure attachment during association. A minor revision of the species diagnosis is proposed to include variations in syzygy and epimerite retention in the primite.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Morphology and life cycle of Retractocephalus aulacophorae Haldar et al., 1982 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida), revealed by modern microscopy

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月25日

查看全文
  • Susobhan Mondal,
  • Biplob K. Modak

摘要

Background

The genus Retractocephalus Haldar and Chakraborty, 1976 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida), known for its retractable globular epimerite, comprises twelve species, with Retractocephalus aulacophorae commonly infecting Aulacophora intermedia. This species was previously described solely using camera lucida drawings. Present study provides a detailed morphological redescription of the life cycle stages of R. aulacophorae using DIC microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy alongside of an assessment of its prevalence and seasonal variation.

Results

Trophozoites are narrowly elliptoid (40.7–397.4 μm), possessing a large globular epimerite and a broadly ovoid protomerite. Association is primarily biassociative and caudofrontal, with occasional multiple linear syzygies involving three gamonts, and epimerite retention in the primite were also observed. Gametocysts are orbicular (146.9–196.4 μm), and spores are dolioform (9.9 × 4.2 μm), released in cohesive chains. SEM reveals longitudinal, undulatory epicytic folds (3.5–4.5 per micron) on gamonts, forming a circular ring at the satellite’s protomerite during association, allowing a firm connection. Out of 235 host individuals, 161 were infected (prevalence 68.51%).

Conclusions

Retractocephalus aulacophorae is distinguished by diverse syzygy patterns, occasional epimerite retention, lower epicytic fold density, and a distinctive circular ring of elevated epicytic folds for secure attachment during association. A minor revision of the species diagnosis is proposed to include variations in syzygy and epimerite retention in the primite.