Wall Structure of the Mature Female and Cystoid Body of Meloidoderita kirjanovae (Nematoda: Criconematoidea)
Cohn, E.; Mordechai, M.
Journal of Nematology 15(2): 325-327
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19295811 Document Number: 220870
The surface structure of the adult female and the cystoid body wall of M. kirjanovae was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The females were covered by a relatively smooth cuticle and the head consisted of 2 to 3 cuticular rings. A rough uterine wall was clearly visible beneath the cuticle (or exposed after disintegration of the cuticle) of the cystoid bodies. This wall consisted of protruding spikelike structures. Cystoid bodies did not appear to have any visible permanently situated openings, but juveniles appeared to leave through points in the posterior section. Artifically ruptured cystoid bodies contained egg shells and hatched juveniles. Most juveniles emanating from cystoid bodies remained motile but showed a higher mortality rate than juveniles originating from egg sacs.