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Gross anatomy of the muscle systems and associated innervation of Apatemon cobitidis proterorhini metacercaria (Trematoda: Strigeidea), as visualized by confocal microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2003

M. T. STEWART
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
A. MOUSLEY
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
B. KOUBKOVÁ
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
š. šEBELOVÁ
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
N. J. MARKS
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
D. W. HALTON
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK

Abstract

The major muscle systems of the metacercaria of the strigeid trematode, Apatemon cobitidis proterorhini have been examined using phalloidin as a site-specific probe for filamentous actin. Regional differences were evident in the organization of the body wall musculature of the forebody and hindbody, the former comprising outer circular, intermediate longitudinal and inner diagonal fibres, the latter having the inner diagonal fibres replaced with an extra layer of more widely spaced circular muscle. Three orientations of muscle fibres (equatorial, meridional, radial) were discernible in the oral sucker, acetabulum and paired lappets. Large longitudinal extensor and flexor muscles project into the hindbody where they connect to the body wall or end blindly. Innervation to the muscle systems of Apatemon was examined by immunocytochemistry, using antibodies to known myoactive substances: the flatworm FMRFamide-related neuropeptide (FaRP), GYIRFamide, and the biogenic amine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Strong immunostaining for both peptidergic and serotoninergic components was found in the central nervous system and confocal microscopic mapping of the distribution of these neuroactive substances revealed they occupied separate neuronal pathways. In the peripheral nervous system, GYIRFamide-immunoreactivity was extensive and, in particular, associated with the innervation of all attachment structures; serotoninergic fibres, on the other hand, were localized to the oral sucker and pharynx and to regions along the anterior margins of the forebody.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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