Microscopic anatomy of monogenean parasite Paradiplozoon homoion
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | The species Paradiplozoon homoion (Bychowsky et Nagibina, 1959) belongs to the family Diplozoidae (Monogenea), representing blood-feeding gill ectoparasites of freshwater fish. Diplozoids exhibit extraordinary morphology and life cycle involving permanent fusion of two larval worms and their subsequent transformation into one individual. Samples of P. homoion were collected from the gills of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), bleak (Alburnus alburnus L.) and gudgeon (Gobio gobio L.) caught by electrofishing or seine netting in the Mušov reservoir (southern Moravia, Czech Republic). Using a combined approach of confocal and electron microscopy, adults of monogenean parasite P. homoion were investigated for the body organisation and adaptation to the ectoparasitic lifestyle, with emphasis on worm’s forebody and hindbody. Special attention was given to the parasite’s tegument, digestive, reproductive, and excretory systems. Labelling of filamentous actin with fluorescent phalloidin revealed the musculature of the body wall, buccal suckers, the pharynx as well as some parts of reproductive tract. Staining with chloride carmine and counterstaining with DAPI proved to be powerful tools for confocal microscopic detection of various cell types including putative gland cells. Immunofluorescent detection of alfa-tubulin showed to be suitable for visualisation of excretory system and some parts of nervous system. |
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