Acta Parasitologica, Vol. 50, No. 4, 2005, 332-335 Kathryn E. Reif, Ramon A. Carreno* and Laura Tuhela - SEM observations on Leidynema portentosae Van Waerebeke, 1978 (Nematoda, Oxyurida) from Gromphadorhina
portentosa (Insecta, Blattodea)
Department of Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio 43015, U.S.A.
*Corresponding author: racarren@owu.edu
ABSTRACT
Adult males and females of the thelastomatid nematode Leidynema portentosae Van Waerebeke, 1978, parasites of the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schaum), were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Broad lateral alae were present on the male. They were interrupted in two regions, forming three separate parts. Numerous small cuticular protuberances covered the posterior two thirds of the male. The male tail had four sets of genital papillae including two large pairs and two smaller, postanal pairs. Phasmids were observed in both males and females. The female cephalic region contained eight
symmetrically arranged labiopapillae. Amphids were also observed, but no other cephalic papillae could be seen. The female lateral alae terminated in sharp projections in the tail region. These observations were compared to both the original description of L. portentosae and to a subsequent additional study of its morphology, and they reveal more details that are difficult to observe by light microscopy alone.
KEY WORDS: Leidynema portentosae, Nematoda, morphology, SEM, Gromphadorhina portentosa, Insecta