The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology (1997) 44, 101-108

Wei-June Chen, Chia-Yi Chow and Shu-Tsuan Wu (1997)
Ultrastructure of infection, development and gametocyst formation of Ascogregarina taiwanensis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in its mosquito host, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 44 (2), 101-108
Abstract: The life history of the protozoan parasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis in mosquito larvae (Aedes albopictus, collected in southern Taiwan) was shown to consist of two consecutive stages-intracellular and extracellular. Light microscopy showed that most trophozoites moved into the Malpighian tubules and developed into giant trophozoites during the first day pupa. The locomotion may be associated with bristle-like ridges of the trophozoite. The stage for sexual reproduction, i.e. the gamete, was then formed by segmentation of the giant trophozoite and twisting off the anucleate extremities of the body. Sexual reproduction occurred via fertilization by fusion of two resulting gametes, presumably two opposed sexes. The fused gametes finally generate the formation of the gametocyst, within which oocysts develop by budding from the cytoplasmic mass. This type of sexual reproduction has not been reported previously in any gregarine protozoa. We here proposed it as a new hypothesis for further elucidation of the protozoan reproduction.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Wei June Chen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aedes albopictus		Taiwan
Ascogregarina taiwanensis (entomopathogen)	Aedes albopictus		Taiwan