Morphologic features, with particular regard to surface ultrastructure, of Docophoroides brevis (Docophoroididae, Mallophaga)
Złotorzycka, J.; Modrzejewska, M.
Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne 38(1-2): 43-50
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5163 PMID: 1488840 Document Number: 400068
Bodies of nymphs and adults of Docophoroides brevis (Docophoroididae), parasite of Diomedea exulans, were studied under light and scanning microscopes. Developmental features of nymphs corresponded with similar features of other Philopteroidea. In adults type and distribution of sensillae were similar to other Ischnocera. Structures pointing to parasite's adaptation to holding itself on host's feathers, were distinguished. They were, besides characteristic claws, the mouth apparatus, groups of hooked processes on tibiae of the II and III pairs of legs, and sculpture of roundish fields on the sides of abdomen sternites. In the shape of male's genital apparatus, protruding to the outside of terminal sclerite, structures helping both partners to contact during copulation were discerned.