Abstract
Gravid proglottids of the linstowiid cestode,Oochoristica anolis, were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and light microscope histochemistry. Primary attention was given to the structure of uterine egg capsules and the medullary parenchyma throughout which they are distributed. Each capsule consists of a syncytial uterine epithelium, with material that appears to be its secretory product deposited in the lumen. Each capsule contains one egg. A basal lamina connects the uterine epithelium to medullary parenchyma cells, each of which is almost completely filled by a single lipid droplet. Parenchyma cells are sarcoplasmic extensions of medullary myocytons and possess a glycogen-rich cytoplasm. The overall proglottid structure results in each uterine egg capsule being surrounded completely by lipid-containing cells. This arrangement may facilitate transmission of oncospheres by slowing desiccation outside the host.
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Conn, D.B., Etges, F.J. Fine structure and histochemistry of the parenchyma and uterine egg capsules ofOochoristica anolis (Cestoda: Linstowiidae). Z. Parasitenkd. 70, 769–779 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00927130
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00927130