Abstract
The surface ultrastructure of Probolocoryphe uca (Digenea: Microphallidae), recovered from a rat experimentally fed on crabs, Nanosesarma minutum (Brachyura: Grapsidae), naturally infected with the metacercariae, was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The flukes were leaf-like, ventrally concave and pyriform or ovoid in outline. The anterior end was modified into a sucker-like organ, comprising a protrusible disc-shaped structure surrounded by single-pointed spines. This organ is probably involved in the attachment and feeding process in a manner similar to the action of the oral suckers. Apart from the sucker-like organ, the entire tegumental surface was covered with triangular spines with multi-pointed tips. Ciliated, dome-shaped papillae were observed, singly or in groups, arranged symmetrically on the sucker-like organ and around the oral and ventral suckers. Kuwait Bay constitutes a new geographical record and the crab N. minutum is a new second intermediate host record for P. uca.
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