Life History Studies on Porrocaecum ensicaudatum (Nematoda), an Avian Nematode. I. Experimental Observations in the Chicken

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Abstract
Certain facts in the life history of P. ensicaudatum are revealed by experimental infections in chickens. The infective larvae are located in the ventral blood vessel and hearts of Lumbricus terrestris. Within an hour after ingestion by the definitive host, the parasite begins to penetrate the horny layer of the gizzard. Exsheathing of the infective larvae is accomplished by the 48th hour and occurs when the larvae are situated between the horny layer and the muscle wall of the gizzard. By the 3d day the parasite is found in the duodenal wall; the female reproductive system has started to differentiate. Rudiments of testes are noted on the 5th day. The spicule pouch opens into the cloaca by the 10th day when preparation for the second molt is observed. Completion of ecdysis occurs generally on the 14th day. Emergence from the intestinal tissue to the lumen begins on the 18th day with subsequent growth. Although smaller, the worm resembles the adult at this stage. These studies have confirmed that Spiroptera turdi Molin is the larval form of Porrocaecum ensicaudatum.