Morphology of the Egg and Larva of Raillietiella furcocerca (Pentastomida) from a Colombian Snake (Clelia clelia)

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Abstract
The structural features of the egg and larva of the cephalobaenid pentastomid R. furcocerca (Diesing, 1835) Samb on, 1910, are described in detail and compared with those of other pentastomids, particularly with other members of the genus. The egg lacks the outer flexible membrane found in genera belonging to the Porocephalida. The mouth ring of the larva completely encircles the oral aperture Several structures appear to be useful as identifying characters, although the taxonomic level at which they are significant cannot yet be stated. Among these are such qualitative features as the undivided dorsal organ, the distinctly bilobed appearance of the circumesophagegal ganglion, the orientation of the facette (body directed posteriad) and the number of giant cells (5 pairs) in the dorsal region of the larva. Other taxonomic criteria of potential comparative value include measurements of the sclerotized structures, particularly of the mouth ring, the median spear of the penetrating apparatus, the supporting cone of the leg, the claws and the terminal spines of the tail.