Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The fine structure of the tegument and associated structures of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The tegument of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni resembles that of the adult in its basic organization but differs considerably in detail. The outer level of the cercarial tegument is thinner and contains several types of inclusion not found in the adult. Only rod-like bodies are characteristic of both stages. Although the cercarial spines are smaller than those of the adult they possess an identical substructure. The uniciliate sensory structures of the cercaria differ from those of the adult in that the cilium of the cercarial structure is not ensheathed in tegumental material. A second type of sensory structure bearing several cilia is located at the anterior tip of the cercaria. Three morphologically distinct types of penetration gland can be distinguished and the content of each is described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belton, C. M., Harris, P. J.: Fine structure of the cuticle of the cercaria of Acanthatrium oregonense (Macy). J. Parasit. 53, 715–724 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogitsh, B. J., Aldridge, F. P.: Histochemical observations on Posthodiplostomum minimum. IV. Electron microscopy of tegument and associated structures. Exp. Parasit. 21, 1–8 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, P.: The ultrastructure of the integument of the frog bladder fluke, Gorgoderina sp. J. Parasit. 52, 926–934 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, K. E., Mercer, E. H.: The fine structure of the nervous system of the cercaria of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica L. J. Parasit. 51, 967–976 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • — The formation of the cyst wall of Fasciola hepatica L. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 345–360 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Halton, D. W., Morris, G. P.: Occurrence of cholinesterase and ciliated sensory structures in a fish gill-fluke, Diclidophora merlangi (Trematoda: Monogenea). Z. Parasitenk. 33, 21–30 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Katchalsky, A.: Polyelectrolytes and their biological interactions. In: Connective tissue: Intercellular macromolecules. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruidenier, F. J.: The formation and function of mucoids in virgulate cercariae, including a study of the virgula organ. Amer. Mid. Naturalist 46, 660–683 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, M. D., Garzoli, R. F., Kuntz, R. E., Killough, J. H.: On the demonstration of hyaluronidase in cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. J. Parasit. 34, 158–161 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewert, R. M., Lee, C. L.: Studies on the passage of helminth larvae through host tissues. I. Histochemical studies on extracellular changes caused by penetrating larvae. II. Enzymatic activity of larvae in vitro and in vivo. J. infect. Dis. 95, 13–51 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, K. M.: The fine structure of the body wall of Gyrocotyle urna. Z. Parasitenk. 33, 95–109 (1969a).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Sense organs of monogenean skin parasites ending in a typical cilium. Parasitology 59, 611–623 (1969b).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Compound sensilla in monogenean skin parasites. Parasitology 59, 625–636 (1969c).

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, G. P., Threadgold, L. T.: A presumed sensory structure associated with the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni. J. Parasit. 53, 537–539 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • — The ultrastructure of the tegument of adult Schistosoma mansoni. J. Parasit. 54, 15–27 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, G.: The histochemistry of the cystogenous gland cells and cyst wall of Parorchis acanthus Nicoll, and some details of the morphology and fine structure of the cercaria. Parasitology 57, 87–110 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, H. J.: The structure and function of hyaluronate. In: The biochemistry of mucopolysaccharides of connective tissue (E. Clark and J. K. Grant, eds). London: Cambridge University Press 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silk, M. H., Spence, I. M., Gear, J. H. S.: Ultrastructural studies of the blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. I. The integument. S. Afr. J. med. Sci. 34, 1–10 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. H., Reynolds, E. S., Lichtenberg, F. von: The integument of Schistosoma mansoni. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg. 18, 28–49 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirewalt, M. A.: Cercaria vs. schistosomule (Schistosoma mansoni): Absence of the pericercarial envelope in vivo and the early physiological and histological metamorphosis of the parasite. Exp. Parasit. 13, 395–406 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Threadgold, L. T.: The tegument and associated structures of Haplometra cylindracea. Parasitology 58, 1–7 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, A.: Papillae on three species of schistosome cercariae. J. Parasit. 47, 614–618 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R. A.: Fine structure of the nervous system and specialized nerve endings in the miracidium of Fasciola hepatica. Parasitology 60, 399–410 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Queen's University Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Gerald P. Morris

Authors
  1. Gerald P. Morris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morris, G.P. The fine structure of the tegument and associated structures of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni . Z. Parasitenk. 36, 15–31 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328972

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328972

Keywords

Search

Navigation