A comparative scanning electron microscopic study of the cyst wall in 11 Sarcocystis species of mammals

Abstract

Sarcocysts found in the musculature of necropsied mammals were dried with hexamethyldisilazane and examined by scaning electron microscopy. The object of research in this morphological study was the outer surface configuration of the cyst wall. A smooth cyst wall without villar protrusions (Sarcocystic cf. sebeki European badger, Meles meles) was compared with 10 others each with its distinctly characterized villar protrusinos. In scanning electron microscopy these resembled stumpy nails with angular heads (Sarcocystis sp./serow, Capricornis crispus), tongues (S. sp./sambar, Cervus unicolor), ears (S. sp./ wapiti, Crevus elaphus canadensis), elongated cones or clubs (S. sp./domestic horse, Equus caballus), hairs (S. sp./Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa), and molar teeth (another S. sp./Mongolian gazelle). This study revealed that what appeared in light microscopy to be finger‐like protrusions of Sarcocystis hofamanni in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), of Sarcocystis hominis in bison (Bison bison), of Sarcocystis hirsuta in cattle (Bos taurus), and of Sarcocystis tenella in sheep (Ovis aries) were more similar to columns (S. hofmanni), straps (S. hominis), stalked polyhedrons (S. hirsuta), or cylinders (S. tenella).