Effect of Age on Body Wall Cuticle Morphology of Heterodera schachtii Schmidt females

Authors

  • D. A. Cordero C.
  • J. G. Baldwin

Abstract

Fine structure of the body wall cuticle of Heterodera schachtii is compared with respect to age and body region of the female. The cuticle is more complex than previously reported. In newly molted females only layers A, B, and C are present, but 4 weeks after the final molt a thin D layer is present between the midbody and base of the cone. This D layer is absent in the cone of H. schachtii, regardless of age. As females age, an additional layer E is produced and includes zones E[sub1] and E[sub2]. Zone E[subl] apparently is unique to H. schachtii, whereas E[sub2] is likely to be homologous with a similar layer in Atalodera. In the cone of old females (ca. 8 weeks after the final molt) of H. schachtii, the two zones become irregular in shape and comprise bullae. The presence of a thin D layer in Heterodera strengthens the previous hypothesis of a single ancestor of cyst nematodes. Key words: cone, cuticle, cyst, Heterodera, Heteroderinae, phylogeny, transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

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Published

1990-07-15

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Section

Articles