Development of Babesia ovata in the ovary and eggs of the tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis.

Abstract

The ovary and eggs of adult tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis) infected with Babesia ovata (B. ovata), were examined at regular intervals of time. As a result kinetes could be detected in the ovary for the first time 6 days after engorgement. The kinetics could be classified into three types on the basis of their morphological characteristics. On the 2nd day after oviposition, round-formed protozoa were found in the ooplasm of the egg. In 5 days after oviposition, these round-formed bodies were transformed into club-forms. On the 9th day after oviposition, the kinetes were observed in the ooplasm. Morphologically, it seemed possible that B. ovata is transmitted by eggs of the tick, H. longicornis.