Some results of the study of trematode fauna of the freshwater mollusc Melanopsis praemorsa (L.) from Azerbaijan water bodies. Report 3. New species of stylet cercaria

The structure (illustrated by pictures) and differential diagnoses of 3 new closely related forms of stylet cercaria (Cercaria agstaphensis 8, Cercaria agstaphensis 21 and Cercaria agstaphensis 16) are given. Special attention was paid to the armament of the glandular apparatus, to the excretory and digestive systems, and to other taxonomically important structural peculiarities.     

Studies on Cercariae from Kuwait Bay. XI. Description and surface topography of Cercaria kuwaitae XI sp.n. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae)

A new echinostome cercaria, Cercaria kuwaitae XI sp.n., from the prosobranch gastropod Cerithidea cingulata (Gmelin) from Kuwait Bay is described. The new cercaria is characterized by 23 collar spines and primary excretory tubules with distinct diverticula. The cercaria encysts in the snail host and is similar to those of Acanthoparyphium sp. The surface topography of the redia, cercaria and metacercarial cyst wall is studied by scanning electron microscopy. This is the first echinostome cercaria to be recorded in a gastropod from the Arabian Gulf region.     

Schistosoma mansoni: description of the head gland of cercariae and schistosomules at the ultrastructural level.

The head gland of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni appears to be a relatively large unicellular entity consisting of a fundus tapering into a system of multiple ducts that opens into the integument at the anterior end of the oral sucker. The fundus is located in the posteriodorsal area of the oral sucker and contains most of the secretory granules. The ducts are usually narrow and devoid of secretory granules especially near their integumental junctions in the cercaria. In Schistosomules of S. mansoni the fundus is reduced and the ducts are distended as secretory granules move en masse into the integument during the penetration of cercaria into their host where they may provide material for repair of the integument of the oral sucker damaged during penetration. The head gland has a strong affinity for luxol fast blue and acid hematin stains which suggests the presence of phospholipids.     

Two species of heterophyid larval digeneans from a thiarid gastropod Thiara tuberculata (Müller) from India.

Two species of heterophyid cercariae, cercaria of Haplorchis taichui and Haplorchis pumilio are obtained from Thiara tuberculata from Visakhapatnam, India. This is the first report of cercariae of both the parasites from India. The characteristic features of H. taichui cercaria are the presence of two sets--one set of lateral and other dorsoventral cuadal finfolds, 15 acicular spines in three alternating rows and seven pairs of lobed penetration glands arranged in two longitudinal rows. H. pumilio cercaria is characterized by the presence of two sets of caudal finfolds, 15 acicular spines in three alternating rows and seven pairs of voluminous unicellular penetration glands.     

Description and surface topography of the cercaria of Austrobilharzia sp. (Digenea: Schistosomatidae)

The cercaria of Austrobilharzia sp. from the marine prosobranch gastropod Planaxis sulcatus in Kuwait Bay is described. The surface microtopography and pattern of the tegumentary sensory receptors are examined using scanning electron microscopy. The general microtopography of the surface of the cercaria is similar to that previously observed in cercariae of mammalian schistosomes, although differences are recorded in the types, numbers and distribution of the sensory receptors. The study identified more than 13 types of receptors comprising aciliated, uniciliated and for the first time a multiciliated receptor in a strigeid cercaria. The ciliated receptor types differ in the cilium length and structure of the surrounding collar and tegumentary base. The receptor types are site specific: (1) the aciliated and pitlike on the anterior organ-neck region and ventral sucker; (2) the uniciliated with a long flexible cilium with or without collar or a tegumentary base on the body and tail; and (3) the uniciliated with a short rigid cilium and a robust collar and tegumentary base, and the multiciliated with 6 flexible cilia and a high cylindrical collar on the anterior organ tip. The reported SEM information on the sensory receptors may contribute to elucidating their functional role and to establishing morphological characters for the phylogeny of the family Schistosomatidae.     

The formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria of Fasciola hepatica L.

Summary The several concentric layers of the cyst wall of Fasciola hepatica are formed from precursors synthesised in the cystogenic cells of the cercaria during its development in the redia. A cinematographic analysis shows that the separate components are released in succession during encystment.The outer portion of the wall consists of two layers: a tanned protein and a carbohydrate-protein complex. The granular precursors of these are formed in separate groups of cells and migrate from these cells into the superficial epithelium (embryonic epithelium) during development. They are released to form the outer wall by the bursting of the embryonic epithelium at the beginning of encystment. This process is rapid and is completed in a few minutes.A pause follows the separation of the outer wall during which a further polysaccharide layer is released and the cells, which contain the rod-like scrolls of sheets of the laminated component of the inner wall, migrate from within the cercaria through gaps in the superficial musculature on to the cercarial surface to form a new epithelium replacing that previously shed.The cercaria now begins a series of complex oscillatory movements within the enveloping outer cyst wall during which the scrolls are secreted into the space underneath the outer wall, unroll and are compacted by the animal's movements into the lamellar inner wall.The rodlets are enclosed in vacuoles and their secretion is effected by the fusion of the vacuolar membrane with the plasma membrane without destroying the integrity of the cells, which remain to constitute the epithelium of the juvenile fluke when this emerges later.     

A new acanthocolpid cercaria (Digenea) from Cantharus dorbignyi (Prosobranchia) in the Western Mediterranean

A new cercaria is recorded from the prosobranch snail Cantharus dorbignyi from the sublittoral region off the coast of Corsica. The redia, cercaria and metacercaria (the latter experimentally developed in the labrid fishes Symphodus ocellatus and S. rostratus) are described, along with the behaviour of naturally emitted cercariae. In view of the morphology of the larval stages, the parasite is thought likely to be an acanthocolpid. The morphology of the cercaria and metacercaria are compared with both known and suspected acanthocolpid cercariae and with adult acanthocolpids known to occur in the Mediterranean. Morphological and circumstantial evidence suggests that this cercaria may be a species of the genus Tormopsolus.     

Characteristics of the seasonal development of Schistogonimus rarus (Trematoda: Prosthogonimidae). An essay on quantitative estimation of the trematode in the ecosystem of the Malye Chany lake (south of Western Siberia)

Quantitative estimation of the trematode Schistogonimus rarus at the stage of cercaria is carried out in the ecosystem of the Malye Chany lake, south of Western Siberia, on the base of long-term data obtained in 1995-2002. Average daily emission of the S. rarus cercaria was shown to be significantly higher in larger mollusc hosts (p < 0.01), by the results of laboratory investigations. Moreover, significant decrease of the average daily emission of the S. rarus cercaria from June to July is established (p < 0.01). It was revealed, that emission of the S. rarus cercaria in the south of Western Siberia (both in natural and laboratory conditions) lasts no more than 50 days and is finished in August. The infestation rate of the mollusc host Bithynia troschelii by the S. rarus parthenites varied from 0.28 to 1.44 % in different years and correlated with the water temperature at first ten days of June (r = 0.75). Flow of the S. rarus cercaria (specimens per square meter) was estimated on the base of the quantitative characteristics of the cercaria emission, data on the infestation rate of the host population, and data on the host abundance. The flow of the cercaria varied from 6000 (in 1998) up to 330000 (in 2000) per season and correlated with the water temperature in third ten days of June (r = 0.71).     

The fine structure of the cystogenic cells of the cercaria of Fasciola hepatica L.

Summary The wall of the cyst of the metacercaria of the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica L). is composed of four layers: an external tanned protein, two layers giving reactions of proteins and polysaccharides and an internal, finely laminated layer of keratinized protein. Each of the precursors of these layers is synthesised in a distinct kind of cystogenic cell in the cercaria, while it is still within the redia in the intermediate host, a snail.The cells forming the protein precursors are similar in cytoplasmic structures to secretory cells such as those of the exocrine pancreas. The cells producing protein and polysaccharides resemble mucinogenic cells.The keratin precursor is a rodlet formed by the rolling of a sheet into a scroll and all stages of this process can be recognised in the synthesising cells in the early cercaria.     

Strigeoid trematodes of Malaysia with descriptions of a new genus and three new species.

Six species of strigeoid trematodes are reported from Malaysia. One new genus and 3 new species are described: Apatemon (Apatemon( jamesi sp. n (Strigeidae); cercaria Cotylurus sullivani sp. n. (Strigeidae); Neodiplostomum (Neodiplostomum) sp. (Diplostomatidae); Fibricola ramachandrani (Diplostomatidae); Pseudoscolopacitrema otteri gen. n. et sp. n. (Diplostomatidae); and cercaria Cyathocotyle malayi sp. n. (Cyathocotylidae). The life cycles of A. jamesi and C. malayi have also been investigated.     

A histochemical study of the secretory gland cells of Cercaria shikokuensis and their role during development from cercaria to metacercaria.

The roles of secretory glands during the developmental process from an immature cercaria to a metacercaria in Cercaria shikokuensis were studied. Four types of secretory cells were identified in this species. On maturation of the cercaria in redia, the products of ventral gland cells and mucoid gland cells formed a thick surface coat on the mature cercaria, and the products of cephalic gland cells also formed a thin cover on the surface coat. In the process leading to the formation of a metacercaria, the surface coat constituted the outer layer of the cyst, mucoid gland cells secreted mucous substances inside the wall, and then cystogenous gland cells discharged their products to the inner wall. The cyst wall was composed of four layers, and it was thought that the outermost surface layer helped the cyst wall to adhere to the matrix and the intermediate layers helped to put together outer and inner walls.     

The attachment response of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni. Influence of natural substrates and temperature (author's transl)]

The behaviour of the cercaria, following contact with different animal and human substrates during swimming, has been studied. Four patterns of behavior related to the intensity of stimulation can be distinguished: 1. backward reaction, 2. stopping, 3. forward reaction, 4. attachment (Figs. 2 and 3). Mechanical stimulation of the cercaria by touching or water turbulence, prior to contact with the substrate has an insignificant effect on attachment. Both attachment and the first step in penetration (crawling over the substrate) are stimulated by a rise in temperature (Figs. 4 and 5) and the chemical properties of the substrate. However, the steps in penetration may possibly be stimulated by chemical components and perceived by receptors different from those involved in attachment.     

Analysis of the invasion mechanisms of the cercaria of Diplostomum apathaceum. I. Attachment and penetration (author's transl)

The invasion of the fish host by the cercaria of Diplostomum spathaceum consists essentially of two steps, (a) Fastening to the host — attachment. (b) Entering the host — penetration. These two mechanisms require different stimuli. Attachment, following spontaneous swimming, was triggered by contact with all the aquatic animals tested, but not by plants or inorganic materials. This was probably due to their chemical rather than physical nature. However, a swimming movement which was initiated by mechanical stimuli, led to attachment on contact with any substrate, but not swimming initiated by shadowing. Penetration is stimulated by fish, frogs and their organs, but not by the first intermediate host or other animals unsuitable as hosts. Penetration stimuli are increasing viscosity and the chemical conditions of the substrate. The variety of available substrates is limited at three levels: (a) Presence of the cercaria at the same depth of water as the fish host, (b) Attachment occurs almost entirely on acquatic animals, (c) Only fish and amphibia are penetrated.     

Cercaria orospinosa Encountered in the Snail Melanopsis praemorsa L. from a Mountain Stream in Turkey

Cercaria orospinosa is the only cercaria shed by Melanopsis praemorsa snails in Savanda stream, Turkey. Magnitude of infestation of snails by this cercaria was correlated with size of the snails and strength of the water current. The highest degree of infestation occurred in June, while in winter it was reduced to zero. The cercariae were released from rediae, which were found in the hepatopancreas of the snails.     

Experimental data on the life-cycle of Petasiger grandivesicularis Ishii, 1935 (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

Larval stages of an echinostome were found in Planorbis planorbis in a brackish water lake on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. The cercaria is a large-tailed form with 19 collar spines. The life-cycle was completed in the laboratory using aquarium-reared fishes (Lebistes reticulatus, Puntius tetrazona tetrazona, P. pentazona pentazona, P. nigrofasciatus, Carassius auratus auratus and Xiphophorus helleri) as second intermediate hosts and canaries as definitive hosts. The redia, cercaria, metacercaria and experimentally reared adults are described. The species is determined as Petasiger grandivesicularis Ishii, 1935, and its cercaria is compared in detail with those of related forms. A key to the known large-tailed echinostome cercariae from the Palaearctic Region is presented.     

Diplostomum commutatum (Diesing, 1850) Dubois, 1937 (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae) cercaria

The cercaria of D. commutatum from the mollusk Radix ovata is described. Data on the biology and development of the cercaria up to the metacercarial stage are given. Cercariae of D. commutatum differ from all known species of the genus Diplostomum by a characteristic cuticular armament.     

Some rare larval trematodes of prosobranch snails, Semisulcospira spp., in the Lake Biwa drainage system, central Japan

A total of 17737 individuals of prosobranch snails, Semisulcospira spp., were collected from Lake Biwa and its tributaries, central Japan, from 1995 to 1999. They were examined for trematode larvae. One species of Aspidogastrea and 28 species of Digenea were detected. This paper briefly describes five of the 28 digeneans: a tetracotyle metacercaria from S. niponica, Cercaria A (cystophorous cercaria) from S. reticulata, Cercaria B (echinostomatid cercaria) from S. libertina, Cercaria C (magnacauda cercaria) from S. niponica and Cercaria D (mutabile cercarium) from S. nakasekoae. They were rare and every one of them was obtained from one snail only once.     

Localization of photoreceptors in the cercariae of Proterometra macrostoma (Trematoda: Azygiidae)

The swimming behavior of the cercaria of the digenetic trematode Proterometra macrostoma changes in response to light. However, this cercaria does not possess obvious eyes or eyespots. Using behavioral assays, we were able to show that both intact and distome-removed cercariae swim significantly greater vertical distances under dim, red light than under brighter, white light. Electrophysiological experiments confirmed this result and further showed that the transverse band of the tail, known to control cercariae swimming behavior, was necessary and sufficient for the display of the light-dependent swimming behavior. Together, these data show that the distome is not required for light-dependent swimming behavior in P. macrostoma cercariae and indirectly demonstrates the presence of photoreceptors in the transverse band of the cercaria tail.