NOTES ON THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF XIPHIDORUS MONTEIRO, 1976 (NEMATODA: LONGIDORIDAE)

Abstract

The morphology of the female reproductive system has been studied in six species of Xiphidorus Monteiro, 1976. The didelphicamphidelphic reproductive tract has equally developed branches, each consisting of a reflexed ovary, oviduct, pars dilatata oviductus, sphincter muscle, uterus, ovejector, vagina and vulva. Although the reproductive organ is quite similar in X. achalae Luc et Doucet, 1984, X. amazonensis Uesugi, Huang et Cares, 1985, X. balcarceanus Chaves et Coomans, 1984, X. minor Rashid, Coomans et Sharma, 1986, X. saladillensis Chaves et Coomans, 1984 and X. tucumanensis Chaves et Coomans, 1984, some interspecific differences are evident in the length of the uterus and oviduct, and the shape and size of the ovejector and spermatheca. Spiniform structures are present in the proximal part of the uterus of X. achalae, X. amazonensis and X. balcarceanus and appear to be attached in a uterine network. Spines seem to be absent from the uteri of X. minor, X. saladillensis and X. tucumanensis, but this needs further confirmation. Objects resembling crystalline structures are conspicuous in the uterine lumen of X. tucumanensis. Spermatozoa are present in the female gonoducts of X. tucumanensis and X. amazonensis, but not in any of the other Xiphidorus species included in this study.