Isolation, cultivation and partial characterization of a kinetoplastid flagellate from the hindgut of the water bug, Lethocerus indicus.

A new species of kinetoplastid flagellates was isolated from the hindgut of the giant water bug, Lethocerus indicus, and successfully cultured in modified glycerol beef extract medium. Light and electron microscopic studies as well as growth in various culture media are described. The flagellates were in three different shapes and sizes in the hindgut of the host as well as in the culture medium. Each form of the parasite contained a kinetoplast which was located near the basal body of the flagellate. The ultrastructural features of this species exhibit great similarity to other species of Bodo. The flagellate ingested bacteria, grew in culture, and was identical with that observed in the hindgut of the bugs. The name Bodo indica has been proposed for this kinetoplastid flagellate.