title: Effects of temperature on the development of Gregarina cubensis (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) parasitizing Blaberus discoidalis (Blattaria: Blaberidae).
abstract: Gregarina cubensis is an apicomplexan parasite that infects the intestinal lumen of the death's head cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis). This study evaluated the effects of 3 temperatures on the development and viability of G. cubensis. Three groups of B. discoidalis were inoculated with G. cubensis oocysts and maintained at 15, 27, and 40 C. The alimentary canal was removed from 3 cockroaches in each group every 24 hr until mature gametocysts were found in the rectum or feces, and prepared for histological examination. Gregarina cubensis establishment and development were more rapid at 15 C than at 27 C. Development of G. cubensis at 40 C did not progress beyond the intracellular stage.
authors.affiliation: USA. autumn_smitty@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Autumn J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Tamara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: William I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Lutterschmidt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000254:growth & development*; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000469:parasitology*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000469:parasitology; D013696:Temperature