Indicators of sexual maturation and regression in the female cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis

Differences in the salivary glands, mesenteron epithelium and reproductive organs of female cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis Bouché (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), are related to the degree of reproductive maturation or regression. Contrary to previous ideas, blue bodies in the ovarioles are degenerate o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMedical and veterinary entomology Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 369 - 376
Main Author Williams, B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.07.1991
Subjects
Animals
calves
Cat Diseases - parasitology
Cats
Cattle
Cricetinae
Ctenocephalides felis
Ectoparasitic Infestations - parasitology
Ectoparasitic Infestations - veterinary
Female
friesian
hamsters
host specificity
Jersey
Male
Mesocricetus
Ovary - anatomy & histology
reproduction
Salivary Glands - anatomy & histology
Sexual Maturation
Siphonaptera - anatomy & histology
Siphonaptera - physiology
Species Specificity
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Summary:Differences in the salivary glands, mesenteron epithelium and reproductive organs of female cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis Bouché (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), are related to the degree of reproductive maturation or regression. Contrary to previous ideas, blue bodies in the ovarioles are degenerate oocyte nuclei and their presence denotes failure of ripening oocytes to reach full maturity. A distinction between true corpora lutea and pseudo-corpora lutea is established, the presence of the former indicates successful oviposition, and of the latter, failure to complete maturation of eggs. Accurate indicators of sexual maturation and reproductive success are of potential value in assessing relative suitability of various hosts for a given flea species and therefore in assessing the degree of host specificity among fleas.
ISSN:0269-283X
1365-2915
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2915.1991.tb00563.x