The development of the adhesive organs of some diplectanid, tetraonchid and dactylogyrid gill parasites (Monogenea).

Abstract

The adhesive organs of diplectanid, tetraonchid and dactylogyrid monogeneans develop in very similar ways indicating that all these gill parasites are closely related to each other. The oncomiracidia make initial contact with the general body skin or the lining of the buccal cavity to which they attach themselves by 14 or 16 ventrally orientated marginal hooklets. The growing parasites then find their way to the gills which call for a different kind of adhesive apparatus. In order to anchor itself between two of the host's secondary gill lamellae, two pairs of the parasite's marginal hooklets migrate to the dorsal surface of the haptor and two of the four developing hamuli rotate so that they also point dorsally.In diplectanids the hamuli are assisted by accessory friction pads (squamodiscs) which develop on the surface of the body anterior to the hooks.In dactylogyrids the ventral hamuli do not develop and are represented in the adult only by small spicules. In contrast the marginal hooklets grow during larval development and become important adult attachment organs, together with the dorsal hamuli.Adults of Tetraonchus monenteron feed on the epidermis covering the gills.I am most grateful to the Director and Staff of the Laboratory of the Marine Biological Association at Plymouth and particularly to Mr J. E. Green for help and hospitality. I would also like to express my thanks to the East Suffolk and Norfolk River Authority and particularly to the Fishery Superintendent, Mr E. Q. Bitton, and to Mr D. Leary, for supplying me with freshwater fishes.