Occurrence of Gregarines (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in the Neotropical Soldierless Ruptitermes spp. (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae)

Authors

  • Vanelize Janei Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro-SP, Brazil
  • Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro-SP, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8268

Keywords:

parasitism, midgut, Ruptitermes pitan, Ruptitermes reconditus

Abstract

This is the first record of gregarine infection in the worker midgut of the Neotropical termites Ruptitermes pitan and Ruptitermes reconditus. Gregarines have already been described in the gut and hemocoel in workers of other termite species, and although these protozoa are not able to kill these insects, they may affect their fitness. In the present study, gregarines were only observed in the gut lumen or linked to the midgut wall of termite workers. Histological sections of the worker midgut of Ruptitermes spp. showed three phases of the gregarine life cycle with the same individual worker displayed up to 4 gamonts and 2 trophozoites.

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Published

2022-12-28

How to Cite

Janei, V., & Costa-Leonardo, A. M. (2022). Occurrence of Gregarines (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in the Neotropical Soldierless Ruptitermes spp. (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae). Sociobiology, 69(4), e8268. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8268

Issue

Vol. 69 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Short Note

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Copyright (c) 2022 Vanelize Janei, Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo

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