[Biological cycle of Acuaria gruveli (Gendre, 1913), acuarid nematode parasite of francolins in Togo].

Redescription of Acuaria gruveli (Gendre, 1913), parasite of the phasianid bird Francolinus bicalcaratus in Togo. The development of the first three larval stages in experimentally infected Tylotropidius patagiatus Karsch (Orthoptera, Acrididae) is described and illustrated. Larvae are infective after 8 to 11 days of development at 30 degrees C. In caudal morphology, infective larvae are similar to those of A. hamulosa. The encapsulation of A gruveli larvae in the skeletal muscles of the insect is compared to the larval encapsulation of A. anthuris, A. depressa, and of the Gongylonematidae. In this respect, the Acuariidae appear better adapted than the Gongylonematidae to the intermediate host.