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Acta Parasitologica, Vol.47, No. 2, 2002, 105-120
Swiderski Zdzislaw (1)(2)*, Tkach Vasyl V. (1) - Ultrastructure of embryonic development of Inermicapsifer madagascariensis (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) with emphasis on the cellular organisation of the infective eggs.
(1) W.Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 51/55 Twarda Street, 00-818 Warszawa; (2) Department of general Biology and Parasitology, University of Medical Sciences, 5 Chalubinskiego street, 02-004 Warszawa, Poland.
Corresponding author: z.swider@twarda.pan.pl
ABSTRACT

The cellular organisation of the infective eggs of I. madagascariensis has been reconstructed at light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) level from serial semithin (LM) and ultrathin (EM) sections. The oncospheres are surrounded by parenchymatic capsules. The total number of oncospheral cells is about 44 (50 nuclei). Among them, five major cell types have been distinguished. These consisted of: (1) a six-nucleate, U-shaped penetration gland; (2) a bi-nucleate medullary centre (= sunken perikaryon of oncospheral tegument); (3) two nerve cells of neurosecretory type; (4) about 30 somatic cells (=mycytons of hook and somatic musculature); and (5) about 12 germinative cells (two groups of 6 cells), localised in the posterior pole of the hexacanth. The functional ultrastructure of hook-muscle system and penetration gland and their role in host tissue penetration are discussed.

KEY WORDS: Inermicapsifer madagascariensis, Anoplocephalidae, Cestoda, infective eggs, oncosphere, cell types, hook-muscle system, ultrastructure
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