Johenrea locustae n.g., n.sp. (Microspora: Glugeidae): A Pathogen of Migratory Locusts (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae) from Madagascar
A new microsporidium was isolated from the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria capito, collected in Madagascar. This new species was found to be haplokaryotic throughout development, produced polysporophorous vesicles of parasite origin, and there was conspicuous xenoma formation. The xenoma was a complex structure composed primarily of fat body cells. The wall of the xenoma was bound by a basement membrane beneath which was a region of collagen-like fibers. Multiplication of the parasite occurred by way of both a schizogonic phase and by a sporulation phase. Schizonts divided either directly or with the intervention of paucinucleate plasmodia into additional schizonts. At some point, plasmodia developed (with an increase in size and number of nuclei) into sporogonial plasmodia with typically 16 nuclei. Sporogonial plasmodia elaborated an interfacial envelope within which they underwent sporogony. Sporophorous vesicles normally contained 16 spores but also 8 and rarely 32 spores were formed. Spores were elongate ovoid (sometimes slightly curved) and measured 8.3 by 3.8 &mu;m (fresh) and 6.9 by 4.2 &mu;m (fixed). Based on the development of the microsporidium and the features of the xenoparasitic complex, a new species and genus Johenrea locustae n.g., n.sp. is proposed.
Przybyszewski
J
CIC-CEPAVE, Universidad de La Plata, Calle 2 N&deg; 584, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
Razafindrafara
H