The development of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) neocaballeroi (Nematoda: Camallanidae), a parasite of Astyanax fasciatus (Pisces) in Mexico.
The development of the nematode Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) neocaballeroi (Caballero-Deloya, 1977), an intestinal parasite of the characid fish, Astyanax fasciatus (Cuvier) in Mexico, was studied in the experimental copepod intermediate host, Mesocyclops sp. After the copepod's ingestion of free first-stage larvae of the nematode, these penetrate into the haemocoel of the intermediate host; they moult twice (on the 3rd and 4-5th day p.i. at 21-22 degrees C) before they attain the third, infective stage. The third-stage larva already possesses the large buccal capsule subdivided into an anterior broad portion with eight spiral thickenings (as observed in lateral view) and a narrow posterior portion, and its tail tip bears three conical processes. The definitive host acquires infection by feeding on infected copepods; in the intestine of this fish, the nematode larvae undergo two more moults (on the 10th and 14-15th day p.i. at 25-32 degrees C) before attaining their maturity. The prepatent period is approximately two months.
Moravec
F
F
Laboratory of Parasitology, National Polytechnic Institute, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Vargas-Vázquez
J
J
D000818:Animals; D017175:Camallanina / Q000254:growth & development*; D003445:Crustacea / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*