Surface morphology of Probolocoryphe uca (Sarkisian, 1957) (Digenea: Microphallidae) from Kuwait bay

The surface ultrastructure of Probolocoryphe uca (Digenea: Microphallidae), recovered from a rat experimentally fed on crabs, Nanosesarma minutum (Brachyura: Grapsidae), naturally infected with the metacercariae, was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The flukes were leaf-like, ventrally conca...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Systematic parasitology 2000-07, Vol.46 (3), p.209-214
Main Authors: Abdul-Salam, J, Sreelatha, B S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brachyura - parasitology
Kuwait
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Probolocoryphe uca
Rats
Scanning electron microscopy
Trematoda - anatomy & histology
Trematode Infections - parasitology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The surface ultrastructure of Probolocoryphe uca (Digenea: Microphallidae), recovered from a rat experimentally fed on crabs, Nanosesarma minutum (Brachyura: Grapsidae), naturally infected with the metacercariae, was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The flukes were leaf-like, ventrally concave and pyriform or ovoid in outline. The anterior end was modified into a sucker-like organ, comprising a protrusible disc-shaped structure surrounded by single-pointed spines. This organ is probably involved in the attachment and feeding process in a manner similar to the action of the oral suckers. Apart from the sucker-like organ, the entire tegumental surface was covered with triangular spines with multi-pointed tips. Ciliated, dome-shaped papillae were observed, singly or in groups, arranged symmetrically on the sucker-like organ and around the oral and ventral suckers. Kuwait Bay constitutes a new geographical record and the crab N. minutum is a new second intermediate host record for P. uca.
ISSN:0165-5752
1573-5192
DOI:10.1023/A:1006394104481