ultrastructural study on desportesius invaginatus [nematoda, acuariidae] from ardeola Ibis Ibis in Egypt

ABSTRACT

The present study is undertaken to describe the ultra- structure of Desportesius invaginatus [Nematoda, Acuariidae] for the first time in Egypt showing details that were not clearly defined before. This nematode is found in the proventriculus of Ardeola ibis ibis. The latter is known in Egypt as "Abu Erdan" and it is a very common and useful bird to Egyptian farmers. The pathogenecity of this nematode within their host was observed. The presence.of such high number of worms raised the curiosity of the present author to see if they had the potential to cause any harm to such economically important birds to Egyptian farmers