Nina: A Remarkable Gregarine

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Abstract
1. The changes of shape in the protomerite sucker, together with the behaviour of the multiple caducous epimerites, have been observed in living specimens of Nina parasitizing Scolopendra subspinipes Leach in Bermuda and Malaya, and also Scolopendra cingulata Latreille from Banyuls (Mediterranean). 2. This gregarine, Nina, showed extraordinary variety of size and form in the same host specimen, but no constant differences could be discovered, in fact the gregarines appeared exactly alike morphologically from the three widely separated parts of the world. One is thus forced to the conclusion that they are all the same as Léger and Duboscq's species from Banyuls which they call Nina gracilis Grebnicki. [This will possibly prove finally to be Kdlliker's Nina scolopendrae.] 3. Scolopendra cingulata and Scolopendra subspinipes are said to be closely related species, and we appear to have in Nina a parasite which is phylogenetically older than at least one of these hosts. 4. The elaborate method for the dispersal of the spores in water or moist places is described with an approximate time table. One striking peculiarity is the retention of the epicyte of the gamonts inside the true cyst wall. After the microgametes have entered the female side of the cyst all communication between the two sides is closed. While the zygotes are develop ing into spores in the female side, the male side develops into a float, gradually swelling and causing the whole cyst to rise to the surface of the water. Finally, by rupture of all its envelopes the spore mass is ejected to a considerable distance.

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