Abstract
Surface topography of anterior adhesive apparatus was studied of the gill monogenean parasite Diplectanum sp. Diesing, 1858 inhabiting the marine water fish Dicentrachus sp. using SEM. The study revealed that the parasite has three head lobes on each anterolateral region of the head; each lobe accommodates a single, ventrally located adhesive sac. These sacs receive secretion from glands openings that located on the lumen of these sacs. Rodshaped secretory bodies and granular irregularly shaped bodies which may be secretory bodies of the adhesive gland cells were seen open into the adhesive sacs. The tegument of the anterior adhesive area of Diplectanum sp. was characterized by many microvillous like structure. The possible functions of these distinctive features in the temporary attachment are discussed. Numerous adhesive papillae presumed sensory structures were found associated with the tegument of the anterior adhesive area and ventral surface of the body. A single ciliary structure supported by a collar of tegument occurs singly close to the mouth opening. It is suspected to be ciliated sensory ending serve to locate feeding sites. The possible functions of these presumed sensory structures were discussed. The parasite adaptation in its microhabitat in facing the strong water current inside the host fish gills was discussed
Highlights
The anterior body region of monogeneans plays a crucial role in attachment, movement, feeding and reproduction [1,2].Most adult monopisthocotylean monogeneans use an anterior adhesive region for temporary attachment to the host when posterior haptoral attachment is severed during leech-like movement [3]
Rod-shaped secretory bodies and granular irregularly shaped bodies which may be secretory bodies of the adhesive gland cells were seen open into the adhesive sacs (Figure 6)
Scanning electron observations in the present study revealed that the anterior adhesive apparatus of Diplectanum sp. generally resemble those of gill-infesting Dactylogyrids [8] and the skin-infesting Entobdellids [9] in being composed of three distinct adhesive sacs encloses three head lobes in each side of the head
Summary
The anterior body region of monogeneans plays a crucial role in attachment, movement, feeding and reproduction [1,2]. Most adult monopisthocotylean monogeneans use an anterior adhesive region for temporary attachment to the host when posterior haptoral attachment is severed during leech-like movement [3]. This adhesive enables instant attachment and detachment of the anterior region. The present SEM study was undertaken to investigate the Surface topography of the gill monogenean parasite Diplectanum sp., those of the anterior adhesive areas in order to elucidate questions on maintenance and survival of the parasite on their microhabitat Preliminary chemical characterization of adhesive has been achieved for a variety of monogenean parasites [4,5] and the adhesive mechanism has been studied for the adults of two species from different families: the capsalid Entobdella soleae [6] the monocotylid Merizocotyleicopae [7].
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