Ultrastructural studies of juvenile Austramphilina elongata: Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the tegument

• Published in: International journal for parasitology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 271 - 277
• Main Authors: Rohde, K., Watson, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1990; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Amphilinidea; Austramphilina elongata; Biological and medical sciences; Cestodaria; development; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glands; Invertebrates; Morphology. Histology. Cytology; Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha; Platyhelminthes; tegument; ultrastructure; Amphilinidea; development; Platyhelminthes; glands; Austramphilina elongata; tegument; Cestodaria; ultrastructure; Scanning electron microscopy; Integumentary gland; Tegument; Plathelmintha; Parasite; Freshwater environment; Vertebrata; Transmission electron microscopy; Chelonia; Ultrastructure; Morphology; Helmintha; Reptilia; Parasitism; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(90)90140-I

The tegument including gland ducts of the juvenile amphilinid Austramphilina elongata is described, using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. There is much variability in the surface structure of juveniles infective to turtles. Large parts of the surface are formed by folds enclosing central cavities, some of the folds may carry thin microvilli and large protuberances, and closed or open blisters apparently connected to tegumental cavities. ‘Cilia’-like structures are present on parts of the surface. The tegument lacks the deep interconnected surface folds of younger juveniles, is connected by means of cell processes with incomplete peripheral rows of microtubules to perikarya in the parenchyma, and exceeds a thickness of 10 μm at least in some parts of the body. The tegument appears to slough at the surface. Numerous gland ducts containing electron-dense to light granular secretion open into tegumental cavities; they have one or two large electron-dense rings below the septate junction connecting them to the tegument.