Endocrine Control of Sexual Reproduction in Opalina ranarum Parasitic in Rana temporaria (original) (raw)

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• Published: 14 May 1960

Nature volume 186, page 559 (1960)Cite this article

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Abstract

IT is well known that opalinids parasitizing the recta of Amphibia multiply asexually by binary fission during most of the year. During the breeding season, however, the reproductive pattern changes to a sexual one, the preliminary stages of which are marked by an increase in the multiplication-rate and the production of small forms and minute individuals. The latter eventually encyst and are passed out with the fæces of the frog. If ingested by tadpoles, they excyst, form micro- and macro-gametes, and the resulting zygotes give rise to the multinucleated opalinids in the newly metamorphosed frogs.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Zoology, Alexandria University, Egypt
   M. EL MOFTY
2. Department of Zoology, Canberra University College, Canberra, Australia
   J. D. SMYTH

Authors

1. M. EL MOFTY
2. J. D. SMYTH

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MOFTY, M., SMYTH, J. Endocrine Control of Sexual Reproduction in Opalina ranarum Parasitic in Rana temporaria.Nature 186, 559 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/186559a0

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• Issue date: 14 May 1960
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/186559a0

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