Data on the developmental cycle of Philometra obturans (Pregnant, 1886) (Nematoda: Phlometridae)
Molnár, K.
Acta Veterinaria Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 26(2): 183-188
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-7205 PMID: 1031252 Document Number: 104169
In Hungary, 11 of 87 Esox lucius from the river Tisza and one of 10 from the Danube were infected with Philometra obturans. Infected fish had one to 3 female worms in the gill artery. Mature worms were found all through the year. Males were lacking. Larvae released from mature females were fed to Cyclops strenuus and Acanthocyclops viridis and up to 20% became infected, each with one to 12 larvae. 5th-stage nymphs were the most susceptible. The larvae invaded the body cavity within a few hours and reached the infective stage in 7 to 10 days. Hosts harbouring more than 3 larvae usually died in a few days. One of a group of E. lucius fed on carp which had ingested infected cyclopids 14 days earlier was subsequently found to have a male P. obturans beneath the serosa of the air bladder. Another of a group exposed to infected cyclopids and (infected?) carp harboured a female worm in the air bladder serosa and 2 other females under the peritoneum. The males and females are described, the former for the first time.