Organization of the musculature of schistosome cercariae
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Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
1Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
Abstract:
Phalloidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate staining of filamentous actin was used to identify muscle systems within the cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Examination of labeled cercariae by confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed distinct organizational levels of myofiber arrangements within the body wall, anterior cone, acetabulum, and esophagus. The body wall throughout showed a typical latticelike arrangement of outer circular and inner longitudinal myofibers, with an additional innermost layer of diagonal fibers in the anterior portion of the body. Circular and longitudinal fibers were also evident in the anterior organ and esophagus and, to some extent, the ventral acetabulum. Most striking was the striation of the cercarial tail musculature.
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