Early Development of Nosema apis (Microspora: Nosematidae) in the Midgut Epithelium of the Honeybee ( Apis mellifera)

• Published in: Journal of invertebrate pathology Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 74 - 81
• Main Authors: De Graaf, D.C, Raes, H, Sabbe, G, De Rycke, P.H, Jacobs, F.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Apidae; Apis mellifera; Biological and medical sciences; esporas; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hymenoptera; infeccion; infection; intestin; intestines; intestinos; Invertebrates; Life cycle. Host-agent relationship. Pathogenesis; merogony; Microsporida; midgut; nosema; Nosema apis; nosematidae; Protozoa; spore; spore passage; spores; Apis mellifera; spore passage; merogony; hymenoptera; midgut; Microsporida; Nosema apis; nosematidae; Protozoa; Entomopathogen; Digestive system; Midgut; Insecta; Apidae; Parasite; Early stage; Social insect; Cnidosporidia; Transmission electron microscopy; Ultrastructure; Apoidea; Arthropoda; Infectivity; Development; Epithelial cell; Hymenoptera; Invertebrata; Aculeata
• ISSN: 0022-2011; 1096-0805
• DOI: 10.1006/jipa.1994.1012

The early infection of the honeybee midgut by the microsporidian parasite Nosema apis was examined with both light and electron microscopy. Newly ingested spores were found closer to the apex of the epithelium as they moved toward the distal end. The initial infection of the epithelial cells was restricted mainly to a very narrow area, at the posterior end of the midgut. Neither released sporoplasms in the midgut lumen, nor were polar tubes penetrating the host cell plasmalemma detected. The differences in the fine structure between the first and second meronts were minor.