Abbreviata hastaspicula

King, C. & Jones, H. I., 2016, The life cycle of the reptile-inhabiting nematode Abbreviata hastaspicula (Spirurida: Physalopteridae: Physalopterinae) in Australia, International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 5 (3), pp. 258-262 : 260

3.3. Adult Abbreviata hastaspicula

Seventeen females and 13 males were recovered. Males were 8.24 — 11.58 mm long, and females 13.22 — 19.03 mm long. Females were longer and stouter than males; the average width of males (0.57 mm) was about half of that of females (1.10 mm). Female A. hastaspicula contained eggs ( Fig. 2A and 2B ). The spearhead-like tip of the male right spicule was diagnostic, Fig. 3A and 3B ( Jones, 1979). Diagnostic morphological features in the female include the thin-walled eggs compared with those of potential concurrent species ( A. antarctica and A. bancrofti ) and the tubular extension to the vulva ( Figs. 2A and 4 ). Food residues were noted. The nematodes were attached together in a mass. A. antarctica specimens were cleaned in sterile water and stored in 70% ethanol.

Figures

Fig. 2. Female Abbreviata hastaspicula. (A) tubular vulva, laying eggs, dorsal view. (B) Embryonated eggs in the uterus.

Fig. 3. Male Abbreviata hastaspicula. (A) Posterior end, dorsoventral view, where S is the spicule. (B) T is the tip of right spicule, lateral view.

Fig. 4. Adult female Abbreviata hastaspicula. AE, anterior end; ME, muscular oesophagus; GE, glandular oesophagus; TV, tubular vulva; UB, eggs in the 4 uterine branches; A, anus; T, tail.