The cuticular structure of juveniles of several oribatids of different families with wrinkled cuticles were compared: Hermannia gibba, Tectocepheus velatus, Scutovertex minutus, Achipteria coleoptrata and Eupelops occultus. Both the surface and internal structures of the "plissée" were studied. Light microscopy revealed several patterns in mites studied with Masson's triple stain and these results were supported by TEM. Although the "plissée" looks similar at the body surface, the structure and ultrastructure differ among groups. Some types of wrinkling is supported by small muscles, probably for changing body shape. Differences in the structure of the cuticle of the prosoma and opisthosoma were observed. The differences in the wrinkling in the cuticle in diferent lines is associated with change in the body shape in response to different moisture conditions.
The article describes a process and results of equisetum arvense evaluation as a plant interesting from the point of view of its construction, structure and chemical composition and its origin in the period of the Palaeozoic. A computed micro tomography, a scanning electron microscopy complemented by an energy dispersive analysis and a transmission electron microscopy was used to experimental evaluation. A characteristic construction of plant segments, a specific structure identified in different parts of plant and chemical composition showing the presence of amorphous silicon dioxide nanoparticles was described on the performed analysis basis. and Článek popisuje postup a výsledky hodnocení přesličky rolní (equisetum arvense) jako rostliny zajímavé z hlediska své stavby, struktury, chemického složení a jejího původu sahajícího do období prvohor. Pro experimentální hodnocení byla použita počítačová mikrotomografie, rastrovací elektronová mikroskopie, doplněná o energiově disperzní analýzu, a transmisní elektronová mikroskopie. Na základě provedených analýz byla popsána charakteristická stavba rostlinných segmentů, specifická struktura identifikovaná v odlišných místech rostlinných částí a chemické složení vykazující přítomnost amorfních nanočástic oxidu křemičitého o rozměrech v jednotkách nanometrů.
Structural differences of microtriches and distal cytoplasm of the tegument in the apical and lateral suckers, scolex proper and neck of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin,1815) were studied. The microthrix border in the apical sucker is formed by filamentous microtriches only. The frontal and lateral parts of scolex bear mainly filamentous microtriches, but seldom short conoid types occur. The transitional zone between scolex and neck is covered mainly with short conoid microtriches. The neck bears blade-like microtriches. In the apical and lateral suckers, the basal plasma membrane of the distal cytoplasm adheres to the basal lamina at some points only, forming thus a lacunal system at the base of the sucker tegument. In the scolex proper and neck region, the basal plasma membrane of the tegument is connected continuously with the basal lamina. The distal cytoplasm is penetrated by two types of gland cell ducts and cibate sensory receptors. Possible functions of different parts of the microthrix border are discussed.
Spermatological characters of the liver fluke Mediogonimus jourdanei Mas-Coma et Rocamora, 1978 were studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of the differentiation zone containing two centrioles associated with striated rootlets and an intercentriolar body. These two centrioles originate two free flagella that undergo a 90° rotation before fusing with the median cytoplasmic process. Both nuclear and mitochondrial migrations toward the median cytoplasmic process occur before the proximodistal fusion of flagella. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon. The mature sperm of M. jourdanei measures about 260 µm and presents two axonemes of different lengths with the typical pattern of the Trepaxonemata, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, one mitochondrion, a nucleus and granules of glycogen. An analysis of all the microphalloidean species studied to date emphasised some differences in certain characters found in Maritrema linguilla Jägerskiöld, 1908 and Ganeo tigrinum Mehra et Negi, 1928 in comparison to those in the remaining microphalloideans. The presence and variability of such ultrastructural characters according to family, superfamily or order have led several authors to propose their use in the analysis of trematode relationships and phylogeny. Therefore, apart from producing new data on the family Prosthogonimidae, the present study also compares the spermatological organization of M. jourdanei with other available ultrastructural studies focusing on the Microphalloidea.
The cuticle of Rhysotritia duplicita (Euphtiracaroidea: Euphtiracaridae), Phthiracarus sp., Steganacarus magnus, S. striculus and Tropacarus carinatus (all Phthiracaroidea: Phthiracaridae) was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. A combination of light and electron microscopy were used to precisely characterize and classify the cuticular layers in oribatid mites and show how they differe in mites and other arthropods. In Rhysotritia duplicata the cuticle of the aspis (upper shield of the prosoma) differs significantly from that of the opisthosoma. Moreover, prosomal cuticle in this species is different from that of all others species studied. There were no structural differences in the cuticle of the prosoma and opisthosoma of species of the superfamily Phthiracaroidea (Phthiracarus, Steganacarus and Tropacarus) in spite of the differences in external apparence. Moreover, in Tropacarus, the rough sculpturing of the cuticle results from the very rough exocuticle, which is unlike the thick smooth cerotegument of the cuticle in Steganacarus.
The microanatomy of several oribatid and one acaridid mite was studied to determine the role of free cells (haemocytes) in mites. Mites from the field as well as laboratory cultures were observed and analyzed histologically using Masson triple stain. The mites were offered various foods and kept in fluctuating moisture conditions. The presence of haemocytes was significantly correlated with the transport between internal organs of various substance. Three types of transport were recorded: (i) enzymes into the alimentary tract, including the incorporation of haemocytes into the gut walls. This process seemed to be correlated with the amount and type of food and frequently with the presence of internal extraintestinal bacteria associated with mesenchyma; (ii) metabolites, like guanine from mesenchyma into the alimentary tract followed by expulsion from the body via the gut. This process is correlated with food of high nitrogen content or dry conditions; (iii) resorption of nutrients from eggs during an induced quiescent state under unfavourable conditions by small haemocytes.
Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the spermatozoon of Discocotyle sagittata (Leuckart, 1842) is composed of two parallel axonemes, mitochondrion, nucleus and cortical microtubules. The nucleus, which occupies a central/distal position and has an unusual crescent-shaped profile, is slightly shorter than the mitochondrial rod. The two axonemes, which are of unequal length, and the cortical microtubules (up to 68 forming a continuous ring in the principal region) extend almost the entire length of the spermatozoon. A fold of the plasma membrane creates a unilateral flange or undulating membrane. Epifluorescence microscopy indicated that spermatogenesis gives rise to clusters of 64 spermatids connected to a common cytophore. Spermiogenesis and the structure of the filiform sperm of D. sagittata conform to the typical polyopisthocotylean pattern.
The forebody and foregut of Crepidostomum metoecus Braun, 1900 are invested with a tegument bearing regularly arranged surface tubercles comparable with the aspidogastrean surface structures. The tegument of the ventrolateral lobes and of the prepharynx is penetrated by ducts of eccrine gland cells. The frontal and prepharyngeal gland cells, localised in the parenchyma, discharge electron-dense granules. Their ducts are lined by peripheral microtubules and fixed to the tegument plasmalemma by a septate junction. The functional roles of these glands are discussed.
An ultrastructural study of the ovarian follicles and their associated oviducts of the cestode Gyrocotyle urna Grube et Wagener, 1852, a parasite from the spiral valve of the rabbit fish, Chimaera monstrosa L., was undertaken. Each follicle gives rise to follicular oviduct, which opens into one of the five collecting ducts, through which pass mature oocytes. These collecting ducts open into an ovarian receptacle which, in turn, opens via a muscular sphincter (the oocapt) to the main oviduct. The maturation of oocytes surrounded by the syncytial interstitial cells within the ovarian follicles of G. urna follows a pattern similar to that in Eucestoda. The ooplasm of mature oocytes contain lipid droplets (2.0 × 1.8 µm) and cortical granules (0.26 × 0.19 µm). The cytoplasm of primary and secondary oocytes contains centrioles, indicating the presence of the so-called ''centriole cycle'' during oocyte divisions. A morphological variation between different oviducts was observed. The luminal surface of the follicular and the collecting oviducts is smooth. The zones of the septate junctions are present within the distal portion of the net-like epithelial wall of the collecting ducts close to the ovarian receptacle. The syncytial epithelial lining of the ovarian receptacle, oocapt and main oviduct is covered with lamellae and cilia. Cortical granules secreted from mature oocytes occur freely within the lumen of the main oviduct that functions as a fertilisation canal. A division of the ovary into separated parts with their own collecting ducts as that typical of Gyrocotyle has been observed in neodermates, basal monogenean family Chimaericolidae, and Neoophora (some Proseriata and Fecampiidae). Ultrastructural data thus reveal several unique morphological characteristics of gyrocotylideans, the most basal taxon of tapeworms (Cestoda).
Ultrastructure of the primitive epithelium of Echinostoma revolutum (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) cercaria was studied. The germinal balls and developing cercariae are covered with the primitive epithelium in daughter rediae. When the definitive tegument of the cercaria is differentiated, the primitive epithelium degenerates. The last remnants of the primitive epithelium in a cercaria can be detected at the stage when the lateral gland cells have released their secretion into the definitive tegument.