Experimental studies on the physiology of hatching of eggs ofAspiculuris tetrapteraSchulz (Oxyuridea: Nematoda)

Abstract

An experimental study of hatching in the oxyurid nematodeAspiculuris tetrapteraindicates that the major factors in the initiation of hatching are the pH and temperature of the environment and that the process is aerobic. Carbon dioxide and reducing agents do not appear to be as important factors in the hatching of eggs of this nematode as they are in the hatching of eggs of ascarids. It is suggested that the physiology of hatching in ascarids is not necessarily the typical nematode pattern.My grateful thanks are due to Dr P. Tate, Director of the Molteno Institute, and to Dr D. L. Lee for their encouragement and very helpful discussions on various aspects of this study.