Question

Identify the correct statement in relation to Wuchereria:

• A. Pineal spicules are unequal and chitinous
• B. Pineal spicules are equal in size and chitinous
• C. Sausage-shaped larva is formed in labrum of mosquito
• D. Mammillated eggs are found in the life cycle

Hint:

Wuchereria males have unequal, chitinous spicules—an identifying reproductive trait.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

- Wuchereria bancrofti, the causative agent of lymphatic filariasis, is a parasitic nematode.
- Male worms possess pineal spicules that are unequal in length and made of chitin, aiding in reproduction.
Other statements:
- The sausage-shaped larva develops in the mosquito thoracic muscles, not in the labrum.
- Mammillated eggs are characteristic of \textit{Ascaris}, not Wuchereria. - Equal-sized spicules are incorrect for Wuchereria.

Answer 2

Wuchereria is a parasitic nematode worm that causes lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, a disease characterized by severe swelling of limbs due to blockage of lymphatic vessels. The identification of Wuchereria species relies heavily on its morphological features, particularly the structure of the spicules found in male worms.

Spicules are needle-like chitinous structures present in male nematodes, used during copulation to hold the female. In Wuchereria, the spicules are notably unequal in length, meaning one spicule is longer than the other. This is a distinctive characteristic that helps differentiate Wuchereria from other filarial worms, where spicules might be equal or differently shaped.

Moreover, these spicules are composed of chitin, a tough, flexible polysaccharide that forms the exoskeletons of many organisms, including nematodes. Chitin provides the necessary rigidity and protection to these spicules, allowing them to function effectively during mating.

Understanding these morphological details is important for parasitologists and medical professionals to accurately diagnose and study filarial infections. Hence, the statement that pineal spicules are unequal and chitinous correctly describes a defining feature of Wuchereria.