On the gregarine Lankesteria culicis (Ross), 1898, from the mosquito Aëdes (Finlaya) geniculatus (Olivier)

Abstract

1. The morphology and life history of a gregarine Lankesteria culicis (Ross), as it lives in the gut of Aedes (Finlaya) geniculatus (Olivier), are described. The earlier stages are intra-epithelial in the fore and anterior mid-gut of the larvae. After a period of growth the trophozoites are liberated into the gut lumen where they attach themselves to the epithelium by a well-developed epimerite which functions as a sucker. Cyst formation and further stages in sporogony take place in the malpighian tubules when the larvae develop into the pupae. In the adult mosquito only ripe sporocysts are found, packed in the malpighian tubules and scattered in the hind-gut. The spores escape through the alimentary canal. 2. The systematic position of Lankesteria is reviewed. In view of its true dicystid nature, combining both acephaline and cephaline features, it is suggested that its proper systematic position would be in the dicystid family Lecudinidae Kamm emend. Reichenow, 1929, which includes all forms intermediate in position between the monocystids and the true tricystids.