Scanning electron microscopy of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. caproni (Trematoda) adults from experimental infections in the Golden Hamster

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy was used to compare the topography of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. caproni adults grown in golden hamsters for 15 days. The oral sucker of E. caproni was well-defined whereas that of E. trivolvis was not. Collar spines of E. trivolvis were contoured whereas those of E. caproni were smooth. The tegumentary spines of E. trivolvis were scale-like whereas those in E. caproni were thorn-like. The acetabular lip of E. trivolvis bore abundant papillae but relatively few spines; this situation was reversed on the acetabulum of E. caproni. A folded protuberance of unknown function was located just posterior to the genital pore in E. trivolvis; this structure was absent in E. caproni.

Keywords :

• Echinostoma trivolvis
• E. revolutum, of some authors
• Echinostoma capronia
• E. liei, of some authors
• Trematoda
• Electron microscopy
• Topography
• Spines
• Papillae