Cuticle production and ecdysis in larval marine ascaridoid nematodes in vitro

• Published in: Parasitology
• Main Authors: Mercer, J. G., Munn, A. E., Smith, J. W., Rees, H. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
• Subjects: Infectious Diseases; Animal Science and Zoology; Parasitology; Terranova
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182000065562; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0031182000065562

SUMMARY Infective 3rd-stage larvae of three species of marine ascaridoid nematodes, Pseudoterranova (= Phocanema = Porrocaecum = Terranova ) decipiens, Anisakis simplex and Phocascaris/Contracaecum sp. were cultured in vitro in 0·9% saline or Medium 199 at 37°C beneath an atmosphere of either air or 95% air:5% CO 2 All three species responded to culture at 37°C by producing a new cuticle. The majority of P. decipiens completed ecdysis under all the culture conditions employed. Ecdysis in A. simplex was stimulated by a high concentration of CO 2 this effect was particularly noticeable in saline cultures. Both A. simplex and Phocascaris/Contracaecum sp. developed more effectively in a nutrient medium than in saline.