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Ultrastructural study on the body surface of the acanthocephalan parasite Dentitruncus truttae in brown trout
Author(s) -
Dezfuli Bahram S.,
Lui Alice,
Giari Luisa,
Boldrini Paola,
Giovinazzo Giancarlo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20543
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , parasite hosting , trout , biology , brown trout , zoology , body surface , anatomy , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , geometry , mathematics , world wide web , computer science
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations on the holdfast elements, proboscis hooks, and trunk spines of Dentitruncus truttae (Acanthocephala, Palaeacanthocephala), an endoparasite of Salmo trutta (brown trout), provide more data about the surface of these taxonomic relevant structures. In both acanthocephalan sexes, the fully everted cylindrical proboscis possessed 18 longitudinal rows of hooks with 18 hooks per row (rarely 19–20). Hook length varied according to position on the proboscis; apical hooks were 40–52 μm long, middle hooks were 31.7–36.6 μm, and basal hooks were 38.1–40 μm. Starting from the anterior end of the metasoma, numerous cuticular spines (26.7–30 μm in length) were visible and their number progressively decreased posteriorly. SEM observations of D. truttae hooks and spines revealed the presence of many surface striations on each proboscis hook. These surface striations were absent from trunk spines. From the base of the hook, the striations ran parallel toward the point of convergence. Additionally, survey of longitudinal and transversal sections of the hook using transmission electron microscope confirmed that the hook surface was not smooth. SEM comparison with the hooks of several palaeacanthocephalan species, as well as with the hooks of species belonging to Eoacanthocephala and Polyacanthocephala, indicated that the striations are currently exclusive to D. truttae proboscis hooks. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.