Fine structure of body wall cuticle of females of Meloidodera charis, Atalodera lonicerae, and Sarisodera hydrophila (Heteroderidae)
Baldwin, J.G.
Journal of Nematology 15(3): 370-381
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19295821 Document Number: 207629
Examination by transmission electron and light microscopy show the cuticle of M. charis to be least complex, consisting of layers A, B, C (with A outermost), and varying in overall thickness from 3 to 8 mu m. As in other species, the cuticle is thickest in mature specimens. The cuticle of A. lonicerae is 6-9 mu m thick; unlike M. charis it has an innermost layer, D, in addition to A, B and C. The cuticle of S. hydrophila varies from 14 to 30 mu m and includes a D layer similar to A. lonicerae; layer C is subdivided into additional zones relative to other heteroderids and the external portion of the cuticle is infused with an electron-dense material. The presence of a D layer in A. lonicerae and S. hydrophila is a character state which is shared with Globodera spp. and Punctodera sp. On the other hand, H. schachtii resembles other Heterodera spp. as well as M. charis by the absence of a D layer and lack of electron-dense material in the outer layers. The pattern of occurrence of shared character states, including those of the cuticle, may be useful for phylogenetic analysis of Heteroderidae. [AS].