GREGARINA-NIPHANDRODES N-SP (APICOMPLEXA, EUGREGARINORIDA) FROM ADULT TENEBRIO-MOLITOR (L) WITH OOCYST DESCRIPTIONS OF OTHER GREGARINE PARASITES OF THE YELLOW MEALWORM

Gregarina niphandrodes, a new species of septate eugregarine, is described from the adult mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. Measurements given are means in mu-m. Gamonts in association. Nuclear diameter consistent, 35.5. Primite: protomerite hemispherical; length 59.5; width 91.2; deutomerite ovoid; length 173.4; width 145.6; total length 232.9. Length of protomerite/total length index width of deutomerite index 63.5. Satellite: protomerite hemispherical; length 40.2; width 81.6; deutomerite ovoid; length 177.4; width 113.9; total length 217.6. Length of protomerite/total length index 19.0. Length of deutomerite/total length index 81.0. Length of protomerite/length of deutomerite index 23.8. Width of protomerite/width of deutomerite index 76.7. Gametocysts spherical, diameter 225, producing multiple oocyts chains under dry storage in 36-52 h. Oocysts very uniform in shape and size, dorsum doliform with angles squared by enclosing sheath, length 8.8, width 5.5; flattened dorsoventrad with mesad tumidus, pleuron height 2.2. Morphological measurements, indices, and oocyst descriptions are given for G. cuneata, G. polymorpha and G. steini.