Surface ultrastructure of the adult stage of Acanthotrema felis (Trematoda: Heterophyidae.
10.3347/kjp.2003.41.2.107
- Author:
Woon Mok SOHN
1
;
Min SEO
;
Jong Yil CHAI
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 660-751, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Acanthotrema felis;
heterophyid;
cat;
surface ultrastructure
- MeSH:
Animals;
Cats/*parasitology;
Fishes/parasitology;
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning;
Trematoda/growth & development/*ultrastructure
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2003;41(2):107-111
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The surface ultrastructure of Acanthotrema felis (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) adults, recovered from a kitten experimentally infected with the metacercariae, was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The worm was leaf-like, ventrally concave and covered with scale-like multi-pointed tegumental spines. The spines on the anterior surface were short but broad, and had 10-12 pointed tips. The cytoplasmic processes protruded around the spines, like pockets for the spines. The ventrogenital opening was crescent, or kidney-shaped, and had protuberances with minute spines on its surrounding tegument. The spines on the posterior surface were long, but narrow, with 6-8 pointed tips. The cytoplasmic processes on this tegument were ridge-like, and elevated along the row of the spines. The surface ultrastructure of A. felis is generally similar to that of other heterophyid flukes, but some features are characteristic, and may be of taxonomic and bio-ecological significance.
