title: Scanning electron microscopy of the egg of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a mosquito species of medical and veterinary importance, usually associated with temporary groundwater habitats. Eggs obtained from females collected in Córdoba city, in the center of Argentina, were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The eggs are elliptical in outline, measuring approximately 615.7 +/- 37.24 microm in length (1) and 180.7 +/- 22.87 microm in width (w), with an egg index (l/w ratio) of 2.9-3.7. The outer chorionic sculpture has racquet-shaped and wristwatch-shaped cells consisting of a small central tubercle surrounded by larger tubercles and followed by a row of smaller tubercles on one or both sides, respectively, although variations between regions of the egg were observed. The micropylar apparatus has a collar with evident molding and edges of determined length, albeit irregular, with defined margins for the transition area and a thickness of approximately 10.7 microm. The margins of the micropylar disc are raised and the disc measures approximately 21.1 microm in diameter. The micropyle is distinct.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacenir Reis Dos
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Santos-Mallet
authors.forename: Raquel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gleiser
authors.forename: Jeronimo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alencar
authors.forename: William de Almeida
authors.initials: Wde A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Juliana Soares
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sarmento
authors.forename: Gerson Azulim
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Carlos Brisola
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Marcondesa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D044969:Ochlerotatus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010063:Ovum / Q000648:ultrastructure*