%0 Journal Article
%T Gametogenesis in the leech Asiaticobdella buntonensis (Meyer, 1951) (Hirudinidae)
%A G.B. Wilken
%A C.C. Appleton
%J African Zoology
%D 2012
%I 
%X ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The gametogenic cycle of the leech, Asiaticobdella buntonensis from two localities was investigated and found to be simultaneously hermaphroditic. Spermatogenesis reached a state of maturation before oogenesis in a cycle of summer reproductive maturation and winter quiescence comparable to related Hirudinidae. Leeches collected from the more northerly. warmer water bodies on the Makhatini Flats (32¡ã08'E / 27¡ã27'S) were similar, although there is some evidence that their gametes matured earlier and remained in a mature condition longer than those collected from the more temperate collection site at Happy Valley Nature Reserve, Durban (31¡ã00'E /30¡ã00'S). An understanding of the gametogenic cycle of this potential medicinal leech under natural conditions. provides an index against which the effects of manipulating laboratory conditions on mass rearing can be inferred. ************** AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gametogeniese siklus van die bloodsuier Asiaticobdella buntonensis afkomstig van twee streke is ondersoek en daar is gevind dat dit gelyktydige hermafroditisme vertoon. O genese word vooraf gegaan deur spermatogenese in 'n siklus van somer reproduktiewe rypwording en 'n winter rusperiode, vergelykbaar met verwante Hirudinidae. Bloedsuiers wat van die meer noordelike. warmer waterbronne op die Makhatinivlakte (32O8¡ãE / 27¡ã27'S) versamel is, word vroe r ryp en bly langer reproduktief aktief as die van die meer gematigde versamelplek by Happy Valley Natuurreservaat. Durban (31¡ã00'E /3O¡ã00'S). Kennis van die gametogeniese siklus van hierdie bloedsuier onder natuurlike toestande, verskaf die agtergrond waarteen manipulering van laboratoriumtoestande vir massateling onderneem kan word.
%K Gametogenesis
%K leech
%K Asiaticobdella buntonensis
%K Hirudinidae
%K gametogenic cycle
%K Makhatini Flats
%K Happy Valley Nature Reserve
%K Durban
%K Spermatogenesis
%K simultaneously hermaphroditic
%U http://africanzoology.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/578