The Morphology of Paranemertes sanjuanensis sp.n. (Nemertea, Monostilifera) from Washington, U.S.A.

The morphology of Paranemertes sanjuanensis sp.n., a new monostiliferous hoplonemertean from San Juan Island, Washington, is described. As in other members of the genus, P. sanjuanensis has numerous eyespots, a proboscis sheath that extends one-half to two-thirds the length of the body, well-developed cephalic and subepidermal glands, and two distinct layers of longitudinal muscles in the body wall of the cerebral region. A precerebral septum is absent, as only fibers from the inner longitudinal layer extend into the proboscis. The cerebral sense organs are well developed and lie just anterior to the brain. The esophagus opens into the rhynchodaeum and leads posteriad, into a highly folded stomach. The intestinal caecum is short and lacks anteriorly directed pouches. Gravid females have numerous ovaries in the posterior two-thirds of their bodies. The proboscis is relatively large and contains an average of 5 reserve stylet sacs, each of which contains 2 to 3 stylets. The stylets are stout and have prominent, helically-arranged grooves.     

Histology and Ultrastructure of the Body Wall in the Phoronid Phoronopsis harmeri

The histology and ultrastructure of the body wall in Phoronopsis harmeriwere studied using light microscopy and TEM. The ectoderm epithelium of tentacles, anterior body region, and ampulla consists of monociliary cells. Gram-negative bacteria were found between microvilli, in the protocuticle of the anterior region, and in the ampulla. The epithelium of the posterior body region lacks both monociliary cells and bacteria. The bundles of nerve fibers run between the layer of epithelial cells and basal membrane. The musculature of the body wall comprises circular and longitudinal muscles. The circular muscle fibers are applied to the basal membrane and constitute a solid layer extending almost throughout the length of the body. This pattern is broken in the posterior body region, where there is no solid layer of circular musculature, and the latter is arranged in isolated muscle bands. In the ampullar (terminal) body region, the inversion of circular and longitudinal muscle layers takes place, so that the latter appears to be pressed against the basal membrane. The apical surfaces of longitudinal muscle cells bear cytoplasmic processes; some of the cells have a flagellum. The basal portion of the longitudinal muscle cells forms a cytoplasmic process containing bundles of tonofilaments. The processes of all cells making up the muscle bands are interwoven and anchored to the basal membrane.     

Musculature in polychaetes: comparison of Myrianida prolifera (Syllidae) and Sphaerodoropsis sp. (Sphaerodoridae)

Abstract. The relationship of the polychaete taxa Syllidae and Sphaerodoridae within Phyllodocida is still unresolved: phylogenetic analyses either show them as sister groups or more widely separated. The present article aims to provide information about the structure of the muscular system that could be essential for understanding their relationship. A crucial point is whether the body wall contains circular muscles, which has recently been shown to be absent in more taxa than previously known. The F-actin filaments in members of Myrianida prolifera (Syllidae) and Sphaerodoropsis sp. (Sphaerodoridae) were labeled with phalloidin and their three-dimensional relationships reconstructed by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Among the noteworthy differences that emerged between the species are (1) members of M. prolifera possess four, those of Sphaerodoropsis sp. eight, longitudinal muscle strands; (2) the body wall in M. prolifera contains transverse fibers in a typical, supralongitudinal position, while in Sphaerodoropsis sp., corresponding fibers lie beneath the longitudinal strands; (3) pro- and peristomium in M. prolifera have no distinct F-actin fibers, while five longitudinal pairs and three single transverse muscular fibers shape the anterior end in Sphaerodoropsis sp.; (4) the proventricle of M. prolifera comprises primarily radial muscle fibers arranged in distinct rows, while in Sphaerodoropsis sp. the axial proboscis consists of longitudinal and circular fibers and radial fibers are lacking; (5) in M. prolifera, the proximal and distal sections of the two anteriormost pairs of dorsal cirri possess longitudinal myofilaments, which are separate from the body wall musculature; by contrast, all appendages in Sphaerodoropsis sp. do not; (6) both species have bracing muscles: in M. prolifera they are positioned above the longitudinal fibers, whereas in Sphaerodoropsis sp. they are uniquely positioned between longitudinal and sublongitudinal transverse fibers. These results do not support a sister-group relationship of Syllidae and Sphaerodoridae. In addition, Sphaerodoropsis sp. is yet another example in the list of polychaetes lacking typical circular muscles in the body wall.     

T-system in muscles of microdriles

Ribbon-like longitudinal fibers of the body wall of enchytraeids and lumbriculids are grouped in fuctional units. The organization of subsarcolemmal cisternae, membrane foldings and extracellular spaces between fibers is described. The data seem to indicate that the spaces between fibers within each functional unit are interpretable as T-tubules of a cross-striated fiber.     

Life cycle and description of a new species of brachylaimid (Trematoda: Digenea) in Spain

The life cycle of Brachylaima llobregatensis n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) is elucidated. Embryonated, operculated, asymmetric eggs (30.9 x 18.2 microm) are eliminated with feces of natural hosts wood mouse Mus spretus; white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula; and an experimental host, domestic mouse, Mus musculus var. domesticus. The eggs are ingested by the helicid gastropod Helix (Cornu) aspersa, the only natural and experimental first intermediate host. The miracidium hatches from the egg, infects the snails, and develops into a branched sporocyst in the digestive gland. Microcaudate cercariae emerge from this snail and develop into unencysted metacercariae in the kidney of second intermediate host snails H. (C.) aspersa and Otala punctata (natural hosts) and Theba pisana (experimental host). Ingestion of infected snails leads to the infection of definitive hosts, with the adults inhabiting the middle part of the small intestine. There is a chaetotaxic pattern specific on the acetabular (S(II) 5-6 papillae) and body (papillae absent on P(II)) levels. Three types of cercaria papillae were observed by scanning electron microscopy: argentophilic papillae with fingerlike processes (cephalic, body, and acetabular levels); argentophilic papillae with opening (2 papillae in the M body level); and nonargentophilic dome-shaped papillae (on the cephalic C(II) level, alternating with argentophilic S(II) papillae on the ventral sucker). Suckers are subequal, with the acetabulum located in the posterior part of the anterior third of body. Vitellaria extend from anterior margin of acetabulum to between middle level and anterior margin of anterior testis.     

日本血吸虫胆碱酯酶的组织化学定位

血吸虫的胆碱酯酶(ChE)与血吸虫神经介质的传递、肌肉活动以及与其它物质代谢均有密切关系,也是抗血吸虫药物作用的靶子之一。1959年沈美玲等进行了药物对日本血吸虫乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活力的研究。最近,姚民一等(1981)采用等电聚焦电泳分离出日本血吸虫胆碱酯酶的同功酶。然而有关血吸虫胆碱酯酶的组织化学定位研究主要限于曼氏血吸虫(Pepler,1958;Lewert等,1965;Fripp,1967;Bueding等,1967;Bruckner等,1974;Diconza等,1975)除Bueding简单述及日本血吸虫成虫的AChE外,迄今国内外尚无日本血吸虫CbE的组化资料,而且日本血吸虫的神经系统也未被专门观察。由于ChE的组化定位能细致地显示出血吸虫的神经系统构造,并能进一步提     

爪鲵消化系统的解剖学和组织学初步研究

本文报道了爪鲵消化系统的形态学和组织学结构特点。爪鲵口腔底部具有肌肉质的舌,食管很短,胃是呈纺锤形的长囊,胃壁较厚,粘膜厚,胃腺发达。消化管肌层皆为平滑肌,环肌明显多于纵肌。肝脏较大,分左、中、右三叶;有胆囊;胰腺长带状,胰管与胆管汇合后与小肠最前部的十二指肠相连。     

窄口螺侧殖吸虫的发育史及早熟现象

1.本文描述从福州闽江泥滩采集的图氏窄口螺体中发现一新种侧殖吸虫,定名为窄口螺侧殖吸虫(Asymphylodora stenothyrae sp.nov.)并与其他相近虫种作详细比较。2.窄口螺侧殖吸虫的生活史各期发育经详细观察,本文简单介绍其各发育期形态特征。3.本文对窄口螺侧殖吸虫早熟现象及其他吸虫类的提早发育现象进行讨论,并将复殖吸虫亚纲曾经发现有提早发育现象的虫种及其中间宿主列表比较。我们的结论:早熟现象在吸虫类中是相当普遍的一种现象。       

The musculature of horsehair worm larvae (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gordius aquaticus</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Paragordius varius</Emphasis>, Nematomorpha): F-actin staining and reconstruction by cLSM and TEM

The musculature of larvae of Gordius aquaticus was investigated by laser-scanning microscopy and compared to transmission electron microscopic data for the larva of Paragordius varius. In the anterior portion of the body, the preseptum, four different muscle groups can be distinguished: (1) 12 anterior parietal muscles in the body wall, (2) six oblique muscles that function as retractors of the introvert, (3) six proboscideal muscles, which function as retractors for the proboscis, and (4) six muscles associated with spines of the outermost of the three rings of spines. The posterior portion of the body, the postseptum, possesses four pairs of longitudinal muscle strands in G. aquaticus, the postseptal parietal muscles, that are located dorsolaterally and ventrolaterally. These are not clearly visible in P. varius, where instead three pairs of parietal muscles are present. Additional small muscles are associated with the terminal spines and with the duct running from the pseudointestine to the body wall. All fibers show a cross-striated pattern although this striation is less obvious at the ends of the fibers.     

Relating divergence in polychaete musculature to different burrowing behaviors: A study using opheliidae (Annelida)

Divergent morphologies among related species are often correlated with distinct behaviors and habitat uses. Considerable morphological and behavioral differences are found between two major clades within the polychaete family Opheliidae. For instance, Thoracophelia mucronata burrows by peristalsis, whereas Armandia brevis exhibits undulatory burrowing. We investigate the anatomical differences that allow for these distinct burrowing behaviors, then interpret these differences in an evolutionary context using broader phylogenetic (DNA‐based) and morphological analyses of Opheliidae and taxa, such as Scalibregmatidae and Polygordiidae. Histological three‐dimensional‐reconstruction of A. brevis reveals bilateral longitudinal muscle bands as the prominent musculature of the body. Circular muscles are absent; instead oblique muscles act with unilateral contraction of longitudinal muscles to bend the body during undulation. The angle of helical fibers in the cuticle is consistent with the fibers supporting turgidity of the body rather than resisting radial expansion from longitudinal muscle contraction. Circular muscles are present in the anterior of T. mucronata, and they branch away from the body wall to form oblique muscles. Helical fibers in the cuticle are more axially oriented than those in undulatory burrowers, facilitating radial expansion during peristalsis. A transition in musculature accompanies the change in external morphology from the thorax to the abdomen, which has oblique muscles similar to A. brevis. Muscles in the muscular septum, which extends posteriorly to form the injector organ, act in synchrony with the body wall musculature during peristalsis: they contract to push fluid anteriorly and expand the head region following a direct peristaltic wave of the body wall muscles. The septum of A. brevis is much thinner and is presumably used for eversion of a nonmuscular pharynx. Mapping of morphological characters onto the molecular‐based phylogeny shows close links between musculature and behavior, but less correlation with habitat. J. Morphol. 275:548–571, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

爪鲵消化系统的解剖学和组织学初步研究（图版Ⅵ，下）

本文报道了爪鲵消化系统的形态学和组织学结构特点。爪鲵口腔底部具有肌肉质的舌,食管很短,胃是呈纺锤形的长囊,胃壁较厚,粘膜厚,胃腺发达。消化管肌层皆为平滑肌,环肌明显多于纵肌。肝脏较大,分左、中、右三叶;有胆囊;胰腺长带状,胰管与胆管汇合后与小肠最前部的十二指肠相连。     

Ultrastructure of the daughter sporocyst and developing cercaria of Schistosoma japonicum in experimentally infected snails, Oncomelania hupensis hupensis

Ultrastructure of daughter sporocysts and cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum were studied 2 and 4 months after infection of Oncomelania hupensis hupensis. The body walls of daughter sporocysts are similar at all infectious stages. They consist of an external syncytial tegument on a basement membrane, and an internal cellular subtegument surrounding a body cavity containing developing cercariae. The cercariae embryos develop 2 months after infection from germinal balls in the brood chamber of the daughter sporocyst. They are at first enveloped by a primitive epithelium rising from the daughter sporocyst. Four months after infection, the cercariae were almost fully developed and the primitive epithelium had degenerated. The body wall of the cercaria consists of a thin tegument covered by a surface coat of fibrous material and connected to the subtegumental cells by cytoplasmic processes. The matrix of the tegument contains numerous dense bodies, vacuoles, and spines. Two types of sensory structures - uniciliated and multiciliated - are found at the anterior tip of the cercaria. There are five pairs of penetration gland cells of two distinct types differentiated by the morphology of secretory granules. Flame cells are found in both daughter sporocysts and in cercariae. The cilia of the flame cells are characterized by the typical 9 and 2 cilium pattern.     

Life cycle of Brachylaima mascomai n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae), a parasite of rats in the Llobregat delta (Spain)

The terrestrial triheteroxenous life cycle of Brachylaima mascomai n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) is elucidated. Operculated, assymetric, embryonated eggs (25.4 x 12.7 microm) are passed with feces of the natural (Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus) and experimental (albino and wild mice, albino rats, Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus spretus [Muridae] and the golden gerbil) definitive hosts and ingested by the helicid gastropod Pseudotachea splendida, the only natural and experimental first intermediate host. Microcaudate cercariae harbored in branched sporocysts in the digestive gland emerge from this snail and contact P. splendida, Otala punctata, Theba pisana, and Helix (C.) aspersa snails developing into unencysted infective metacercariae in the kidney. Definitive hosts are infected by ingestion of infected snails; the adult parasites inhabit the small intestine. Chaetotaxic cercarial pattern specific at acetabular (S(II) 8-10 papillae) and cephalic (C(III) 13-15 papillae, H 16 papillae) levels. Three types of cercarial papillae are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their arrangement is correlated with chaetotaxy for the first time in trematodes: argentophilic papillae with fingerlike process (cephalic, body, and acetabular levels), argentophilic papillae with opening (2 papillae in the M body level), and nonargentophilic dome-shaped papillae (alternated with argentophilic S(II) papillae on the ventral sucker). SEM detected interlacing network of ridges covering the metacercarial body. Adults with multidigitate tegumentary spines were observed by SEM. Subequal suckers; the acetabulum located in the posterior part of anterior fifth of body. Vitellaria extend from between middle level and anterior margin of anterior testis to between middle level and posterior margin of acetabulum. Uterus almost reaches the intestinal bifurcation.     

Patterns of musculature as taxonomic characters for the Turbellaria Acoela

While turbellarians are generally assumed to have body-wall musculature consisting routinely of longitudinal, circular, and diagonal fibers, members of the Acoela examined by a fluorescence-microscopy technique specific for actin showed more complicated and distinctive arrangements of muscles, giving promise for better delimiting taxa within this taxonomically difficult order. Certain globose or tear-drop-shaped worms such as Convoluta pulchra and species of Pseudaphanostoma, Mecynostomum, and Otocelis, showed a complex pattern in which muscles longitudinal in the anterior half of the body arc diagonally across the posterior half; complex brushes of parenchymal muscles that cross at the level of the statocyst and arc postero-laterally also characterize these groups. The more elongate acoel Paratomella sp. was found to have musculature dominated by strictly longitudinal fibers and with relatively weak circular fibers and few fibers running diagonally to the body axis, yet the elongate mecynostomid Paedomecynostomum bruneum showed a crossing of antero-longitudinal fibers similar to that seen in the more globose Mecynostomum sp. A distinctive looping of muscles around the mouth is seen in P. bruneum and the Anaperidae. Such similarities and differences in pattern of musculature promise to provide easily recognizable characters for taxonomy of the Acoela at levels ranging from species to family. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Monoamines and neuropeptides as transmitters in the sedentary polychaete Sabellastarte magnifica: actions on the longitudinal muscle of the body wall.

Pharmacological studies on the body wall musculature of the sedentary polychaete Sabellastarte magnifica show a potential neurotransmitter role for monoamines and neuropeptides in this organism. All catecholamines induced contraction of longitudinal muscle strips, while serotonin and the neuropeptides FMRFamide and substance P caused a relaxation of both resting and active muscle. In addition, we demonstrate catecholaminergic and serotonergic pathways in the nervous system of this sabellid, using immunohistochemistry and catecholamine-induced fluorescence. The presence of neuropeptide-containing fibers in the nervous system of this polychaete has been previously reported. Together these results suggest that catecholamines act as excitatory transmitters on the longitudinal muscle cells of the body wall of S. magnifica, while serotonin and FMRFamide, and possible substance P, are inhibitory transmitters. The possibility of coexistence of serotonin and FMRFamide within the same neuronal cell bodies and fibers of this polychaete is also explored.     

Cellular and muscular growth patterns during sipunculan development

Sipuncula is a lophotrochozoan taxon with annelid affinities, albeit lacking segmentation of the adult body. Here, we present data on cell proliferation and myogenesis during development of three sipunculan species, Phascolosoma agassizii, Thysanocardia nigra, and Themiste pyroides. The first anlagen of the circular body wall muscles appear simultaneously and not subsequently as in the annelids. At the same time, the rudiments of four longitudinal retractor muscles appear. This supports the notion that four introvert retractors were part of the ancestral sipunculan bodyplan. The longitudinal muscle fibers form a pattern of densely arranged fibers around the retractor muscles, indicating that the latter evolved from modified longitudinal body wall muscles. For a short time interval, the distribution of S-phase mitotic cells shows a metameric pattern in the developing ventral nerve cord during the pelagosphera stage. This pattern disappears close to metamorphic competence. Our findings are congruent with data on sipunculan neurogenesis, as well as with recent molecular analyses that place Sipuncula within Annelida, and thus strongly support a segmental ancestry of Sipuncula.     

Schistosoma mansoni: a new parenchymal cell in cercariae

A new type of cell has been identified in cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. The perikarya (cell bodies) of these cells were located in the body (midsegment), in an area oral to the acetabulum (ventral sucker). Cytoplasmic processes extending from the perikarya ramified throughout the parenchyma of the anterior organ (oral sucker), body, and tail segments by following the path of the nerve processes from the neuropile. The perikarya of these cells had heterochromatic nuclei and a predominance of particulate material and granules (240-360 nm) in their cytoplasm. Aggregates of granules (240-360 nm) and associated vesicles (34 nm) were scattered throughout the cytoplasmic processes of the cells and formed distinct varicosed areas. These processes often connected to the tegument in the midsegment (body) of the cercariae. The granules and associated vesicles reacted (became electron dense) with fixatives reported to be detectors of biogenic amines: The glutaraldehyde/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules electron dense while the glutaraldehyde/chromate/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules and the associated vesicles electron dense. The chromate solution of the latter procedure was responsible for the electron density of the associated vesicles. The morphology of these cells (their long ramifying cytoplasmic processes) and their reaction to chromium suggests that they are probably biogenic aminergic sensory cells.     

Embryonic muscle development of Convoluta pulchra (Turbellaria-acoelomorpha, platyhelminthes)

We studied the embryonic development of body-wall musculature in the acoel turbellarian Convoluta pulchra by fluorescence microscopy using phalloidin-bound stains for F-actin. During stage 1, which we define as development prior to 50% of the time between egg-laying and hatching, actin was visible only in zonulae adhaerentes of epidermal cells. Subsequent development of muscle occurred in two distinct phases: first, formation of an orthogonal grid of early muscles and, second, differentiation of other myoblasts upon this grid. The first elements of the primary orthogonal muscle grid appeared as short, isolated, circular muscle fibers (stage 2; 50% developmental time), which eventually elongated to completely encircle the embryo (stage 3; at 60% of total developmental time). The first primary longitudinal fibers appeared later, along with some new primary circular fibers, by 60-63% of total developmental time (stage 4). From 65 to 100% of total developmental time (stages 5 to 7), secondary fibers, using primary fibers as templates, arose; the number of circular and longitudinal muscles thus increased, and at the same time parenchymal muscles began appearing. Hatchlings (stage 8) possessed about 25 circular and 30 longitudinal muscles as well as strong parenchymal muscles. The remarkable feature of the body wall of many adult acoel flatworms is that longitudinal muscles bend medially and cross each other behind the level of the mouth. We found that this development starts shortly after the appearance of the ventral mouth opening within the body wall muscle grid. The adult organization of the body-wall musculature consists of a grid of several hundred longitudinal and circular fibers and a few diagonal muscles. Musculature of the reproductive organs developed after hatching. Thus, extensive myogenesis must occur also during postembryonic development. Comparison between the turbellarians and the annelids suggests that formation of a primary orthogonal muscle grid and its subsequent use as a template for myoblast differentiation are the two basic developmental phases in vermiform Spiralia if not in the Bilateria as a whole. Finally, our new data suggest that for the Acoela the orthogonal primary patterning of longitudinal and circular muscles in the body wall is achieved without using originally positional information of the nervous system.     

A new species of Allocreadium (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from freshwater fishes in the Danjiangkou Reservoir in China

A new species of Allocreadium, Allocreadium danjiangensis n. sp., is described from the intestine of several species of freshwater fish, including Abbottina rivularis (Basilewsky, 1855), Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis nigripinns (Güther, 1873), Gnathopogon argentatus (Sauvage et Dabry 1874), Opsariichthys uncirostris bidens (Gunther, 1873), and Erythroculter mongolicus mongolicus (Basilewsky, 1855) (Cyprinidae) from the Danjiangkou Reservoir in central China. The main morphological characters of the new species are as follows: vitelline follicles numerous, extending from the level of acetabulum to posterior extremity, distributed over both sides around the ceca; cirrus sac relatively large, developed, lying obliquely anterior to the acetabulum, extending from the level of the intestinal bifurcation to the central level of acetabulum, and overlapping left or right cecal; and ovary much smaller than testes, generally close to or even overlapping the anterior border of anterior testis. Observation by scanning electron microscopy shows only 2 kinds of tegumental formations, i.e., papillae and tubercles, instead of 3 types of tegumental formations, i.e., papillae, bosses, and minute sensor receptors observed on other species of the Allocreadiidae. The tegumental striations of the present species vary on the different parts of the body. In addition, a new structure, identified as the "groove" with a tonguelike tubercle, was observed on the inner wall of acetabulum.     

Evolution of body wall musculature

A body wall musculature comprising an outer layer of circularfibers and an inner layer of longitudinal fibers is generallyseen as the basic plan in Annelida. Additional muscles may bepresent such as oblique, parapodial, chaetal, and dorsoventralmuscles. The longitudinal muscle fibers do not form a continuouslayer but are arranged in distinct bands in polychaetes. Mostlythere are four to six bands, usually including prominent ventraland dorsal bands. However, other patterns of muscle band arrangementalso exist. The ventral nerve cord lies between the two ventralbands in certain polychaetes, and is covered by an additionallongitudinal muscle band of comparatively small size. In manypolychaetes with reduced parapodia and in Clitellata a moreor less continuous layer of longitudinal fibers is formed. Clitellatais the only group with a complete layer of longitudinal musculature.Circular fibers are usually less developed than the longitudinalmuscles. However, recent investigations employing phalloidinstaining in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopyrevealed that absence of circular muscles is much more widelydistributed within the polychaetes than was previously known.This necessitates thorough reinvestigations of polychaete musclesystems, and this feature has to be taken into account in furtherdiscussions of the phylogeny and evolution of Annelida.