Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae)
The Kangaroo Leech, Marsupiobdella africana, is a hermaphroditic organism, with insemination taking place by the planting of a spermatophore on another leech. Spermatophores are mostly planted on the anterior of the recipient leech, but not always. Several spermatophores may be planted by different...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2015-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224415000073 |
| _version_ | 1811297652768243712 |
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| author | Natasha Kruger Louis Du Preez |
| author_facet | Natasha Kruger Louis Du Preez |
| author_sort | Natasha Kruger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Kangaroo Leech, Marsupiobdella africana, is a hermaphroditic organism, with insemination taking place by the planting of a spermatophore on another leech. Spermatophores are mostly planted on the anterior of the recipient leech, but not always. Several spermatophores may be planted by different leeches on a single recipient. The spermatophore consists of two side by side lobes. Within minutes from planting of the spermatophore, the contents are squeezed out and into the body of the recipient. Sperm are believed to find the way to the ova by following chemical cues. Kangaroo Leeches display advanced parental care by transferring fertilized eggs from the reproductive opening to a brood pouch on the ventral side. Fully developed leeches may copulate after detaching from the amphibian host Xenopus laevis, or from the Cape River Crab Potamonautes perlatus with which it maintains a phoretic association. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:08:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e839f08f34d44ad3bdd3b130e0886f65 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2213-2244 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:08:21Z |
| publishDate | 2015-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| spelling | doaj.art-e839f08f34d44ad3bdd3b130e0886f652022-12-22T02:59:11ZengElsevierInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife2213-22442015-04-014114214710.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.01.005Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae)Natasha KrugerLouis Du PreezThe Kangaroo Leech, Marsupiobdella africana, is a hermaphroditic organism, with insemination taking place by the planting of a spermatophore on another leech. Spermatophores are mostly planted on the anterior of the recipient leech, but not always. Several spermatophores may be planted by different leeches on a single recipient. The spermatophore consists of two side by side lobes. Within minutes from planting of the spermatophore, the contents are squeezed out and into the body of the recipient. Sperm are believed to find the way to the ova by following chemical cues. Kangaroo Leeches display advanced parental care by transferring fertilized eggs from the reproductive opening to a brood pouch on the ventral side. Fully developed leeches may copulate after detaching from the amphibian host Xenopus laevis, or from the Cape River Crab Potamonautes perlatus with which it maintains a phoretic association.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224415000073Cape River crabClawed frogLeechReproductionSpermatophore |
| spellingShingle | Natasha Kruger Louis Du Preez Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Cape River crab Clawed frog Leech Reproduction Spermatophore |
| title | Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) |
| title_full | Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) |
| title_short | Reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae) |
| title_sort | reproductive strategies of the kangaroo leech marsupiobdella africana glossiphoniidae |
| topic | Cape River crab Clawed frog Leech Reproduction Spermatophore |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224415000073 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT natashakruger reproductivestrategiesofthekangarooleechmarsupiobdellaafricanaglossiphoniidae AT louisdupreez reproductivestrategiesofthekangarooleechmarsupiobdellaafricanaglossiphoniidae |