The presence of catecholamines in the nervous system of a plagiorchiid cercaria of Opisthioglyphe ranae (Frölich, 1791) is demonstrated using fluorescence methods (SPG method after De la Torre and Surgeon 1976, exciting filter of 400-410 nm max. wave length). Comparison of the distribution of catecholamines and acetylcholinesterases in the cercaria of the same species showed closely similar patterns. However, some differences in distribution were identified and these are discussed.
The ultrastructure of the proto- and paranephridial excretory systems in the metacercaria of D. pseudospathaceum is described. Basically, the protonephridial system in the metacercaria, although being more complex, does not differ in ultrastructure from that in the cercaria. All protonephridial canals have nuclei and septate desmosomes between neighbouring cells as well as desmosomes closing the canals. Contrary to the protonephridial system, the paranephridial one has a syncytial structure with few cell nuclei in the wall. No septate desmosomes were visible in cross- and longitudinal sections of the paranephridial canals and terminal pockets. The heterocellular gap junctions (nexus) between tegumental cytons and paranephridial canal walls have not previously been observed and described in diplostomid metacercaria. The possible function of these heterocellular gap junctions is discussed.
The chaetotaxy pattern of D. pseudospathaceum related to the structure of the nervous system (in the cephalic and preacetabular region) was described based upon LM and TEM investigations. The proper location of thirteen different ultrastructural types of sensory endings (SE) will be described by Czubaj and Niewiadomska (in press) were established. It was shown that the cercarial body, tail stem and furcae have a specific set of SE, and that several types of SE may be localized in different part of the cercaria. The location of particular sensory endings in the rings of the cephalic, pre- and postacetabular regions, tail stem and furcae was ascertained.
The entire muscular system of the cercaria of D. pseudospathaceum was studied using a wholemount fluorescence technique with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin. The body-wall musculature of the main body consists of circular, longitudinal and diagonal muscles. The musculature of the tail, anterior organ, ventral sucker, and certain parts of the alimentary tract are distinct. The ultrastructure of the two main types of muscle cells (smooth and cross-striated) were described, as was the differentiation of smooth muscles in particular organs. Muscle cells with two major opposing systems of myofilaments were found in the oesophagus.
The general morphology of the excretory system of the cercaria and daughter sporocyst of D. pseudospathaceum is described. The ultrastructure of the following parts was examined: in the body - the filtering complex, anterior and posterior collecting tubules, main collecting duct, main excretory tube, and excretory bladder; in the tail - the capillaries with filtering complex, collecting tubes, main caudal duct, and furcal duct. Differences in the morphology of the excretory system of cercaria and daughter sporocyst are discussed: they relate to the lack of a main collecting tube and excretory bladder, and to the presence of separate excretory pores in the sporocyst. The ultrastructure of the filtering complex of sporocysts differs in the more numerous cilia and the presence of internal leptotriches. The other difference is the presence of long cytoplasmic projections that are in contact with adjacent cells in the distal part of the sporocyst capillary cell.
The nervous system of daughter sporocyst of D. pseudospathaceum is described on a basis of acetylcholinesterase activity, histofluorescence of biogenic amines and serotonin immunoreactivity. Description of the posterior part of the nervous system is added to the hitherto described brain ganglia and irregular network of nerve fibres surrounding anterior end of the sporocyst. The immunoreactivity of 5-HT was observed in laterally situated main nerve cords, which run along the whole length of the body and unite at its posterior end. Some ramifications of the main cords were also visible. A possible role of messenger molecules observed in daughter sporocyst nervous system is discussed.
Aminergic and cholinergic nervous systems were revealed and described for the furcocercaria Cercaria globocaudata, belonging to the globocauda group. In general the nervous system in the cercarial body is morphologically similar to that of another strigeid species, the cercaria of Diplostomum pseudo- spathaceum. Differences in morphology were visible in the large tail stem with a globular widening at the end. In front of the globular part, the number of cholinergic and aminergic elements in the dorsal and ventral nerve trunks increases and a connective and nervous net appears. The possible nerve centre for autonomous locomotion of the tail is discussed.
The oncospheral envelope morphology, representing an useful criterion in the taxonomy of cestodes, were examined, at the ultrastructural level, in hymenolepidid Wardium aequabile, developing in hosts connected with an aquatic environment. Adult specimens of the cestode from swan, processed for ТЕМ, were analysed. Inside the uterus, around each oncosphere the following envelopes were observed: the outer and the inner envelopes, the embryophore and the oncospheral membrane. The lumenal side of the uterus forms compact layer, rich in cytoplasmic components and intruding between individual eggs. There were certain features characteristic for W. aequabile: (1) details of ultrastructure of the outer envelope and uterine wall; (2) the embryophore with thick electron-dense core layer; (3) the long hooked appendage at each pole of the egg, inside the inner envelope, with the embryophore penetrating into the appendages. Significance of ultrastructural features of W. aequabile in relation to life cycle of the cestode is discussed and, differences and similarity with other hymenolepidids developing in hosts in aquatic environment are presented.