Abstract
Metacercarial cysts ofParapronocephalum symmetricum were subjected to an excystment medium containing trypsin and bile salts at 41°C. After approximately 35 min the metacercariae emerged from the cysts, but prior to their release each cyst wall extended outwards at one point, resulting in the cysts becoming pear-shaped. The extensions always occurred adjacent to the anterior regions of the metacercariae, and electron microscopy showed that at these points the structure of the inner cyst layer had changed from a compact to a disaggregated form. This effect was not observed in cysts whose metacercariae were removed before treatment with excystment medium. We concluded that the disaggregation of the inner cyst layer represented a weakening process that was brought about by enzymes released from the anterior regions of the metacercariae. Escape, through the weakened inner layer and the two outer layers, was finally brought about by the physical efforts of activated organisms.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belopolskaia MM (1952) Sub-family: Pronocephalinae (Looss, 1902) Szidat, 1939, Genus:Parapronocephalum Belopolskaia, gen. nov. Uch Zap Leningr Gos Univ Ser Biol Nauk 28:141–143, 175–176
Dixon KE (1965) The structure and histochemistry of the cyst wall of the metacercaria ofFasciola hepatica L. Parasitology 55:215–266
Dixon KE (1975) The structure and composition of the cyst wall of the metacercaria ofCloacitrema narrabeenensis (Howell and Bearup, 1967) (Digenea: Philophthalmidae). Int J Parasitol 5:113–118
Irwin SWB (1983) In vitro excystment of the metacercaria ofMaritrema arenaria (Digenea: Microphallidae) Int J Parasitol 13:191–196
Irwin SWB, McKerr G, Judge BC, Moran I (1984) Studies on metacercarial excystment inHimasthla leptosoma (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) and newly emerged metacercariae. Int J Parasitol 14:415–421
James BL (1969) The Digenea of the intertidal prosobranch,Littorina saxatilis (Olivi). Z Zool Syst Evolutionsforsch 7:273–316
Macy RW, Allen KB, Benz M (1968) In vitro excystation ofSphaeridiotrema globulus metacercariae, structure of cyst, and the relationship to host specificity. J Parasitol 54:28–38
Matthews PM, Montgomery WI, Hanna REB (1985) Infestation of littorinids by larval Digenea around a small fishing port. Parasitology 90:277–287
Nation JL (1983) A new method using Hexamethyldisilazane for preparation of soft insect tissues for scanning electron microscopy. Stain Technol 58:347–351
Pike AW, Erasmus DA (1967) The formation, structure and histochemistry of the metacercarial cyst of three species of digenetic trematodes. Parasitology 57:638–694
Rees G (1967) The histochemistry of the cystogenous gland and cyst wall ofParorchis acanthus Nicoll, and some details of the morphology and fine structure of the cercaria. Parasitology 57:87–110
Sommerville RI, Rogers WP (1987) The nature and action of host signals. Adv Parasitol 26:239–293
Strong PL, Cable RM (1972) Fine structure and development of the metacercarial cyst inMicrophallus opacus (Ward, 1894). J Parasitol 58:92–98
Sukhdeo MVK, Mettrick DF (1986) The behaviour of the juvenileFasciola hepatica J Parasitol 72:492–497
Sukhdeo MVK, Mettrick DF (1987) Parasite behaviour: understanding platyhelminth responses. Adv Parasitol 26:73–144
Thompson M, Halton DW (1982) Observations on excystment in vitro ofCotylurus variegatus metacercariae (Trematoda: Strigeidae). Z Parasitenkd 68:201–209
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Irwin, S.W.B., McShane, G. & Saville, D.H. A study of metacercarial excystment inParapronocephalum symmetricum (Trematoda: Notocotylidae). Parasitol Res 76, 45–49 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931071
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931071