The structure and formation of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi Hammerschmidt (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea)

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Abstract
The structure and chemistry of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi was examined. The shell consists of 5 layers: external uterine layer, internal uterine layer, vitelline layer, chitinous layer and lipid layer. The uterine layers contain discrete spaces which open to the exterior via pores. Freeze etching revealed particles of 8·0 nm diameter in the external uterine layer and fibres measuring 2·6–3·1 nm in the chitinous layer. The morphology of the reproductive system, the cytoplasmic inclusions of the mature oocyte and the formation of the layers of the egg-shell are described.