Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of the tegument of Atriaster heterodus (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea)

The tegument of the polyopisthocotylean monogenean Atriaster heterodus Lebedev & Parukhin, 1969 was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The outer syncytial layer of the tegument is connected to the internal cell bodies by cytoplasmic extensions which interweave between the muscular f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Main Authors: Cláudia Portes Santos, Reinalda Marisa Lanfredi
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2000
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762000000600028
https://doaj.org/article/c9908a3cb7d742db91509d3bd3ee695b
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Summary:The tegument of the polyopisthocotylean monogenean Atriaster heterodus Lebedev & Parukhin, 1969 was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The outer syncytial layer of the tegument is connected to the internal cell bodies by cytoplasmic extensions which interweave between the muscular fibres. The free surface of the syncytium has projections of the external membrane which are similar to microvilli. The undulating basal membrane, with numerous narrow elongate projections, is associated with the basal lamina situated between the syncytial and muscular layers. The cell bodies and syncytial layer of the tegument exhibit two types of vesicles, one with fibrous contents and one with electron-dense contents; these were analysed using two cytochemical tests, the E-PTA and alcian blue methods, used for the first time on monogeneans.