Scanning electron microscopical findings of Echinochasmus japonicus tegument

Tegumental ultrastructures of Echinochasmus japonicus were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The worms were recovered from albino rats which were experimentally infected with the metacercariae obtained from Pseudorasbora parva. Followings are summarized findings. The worms were minute and plumpy gourd-shaped with attenuated anterior and round posterior end. The tegument of whole body was wrinkled transversely and covered with cobblestone-like cytoplasmic processes. Head crown was armed with 24 collar spines which were embedded in cytoplasmic pockets. The spines were arranged in a row with an interruption at dorsomedian line, however, the 2nd and the 4th spines were outstretched more than others. Oral and ventral suckers were muscular with numerous type II sensory papillae, and genital pore opened between the two suckers. Tegumental spines were spade-shaped with broad base and pointed tip. They were compact in ventro-lateral tegument or dorsal surface of anterior body. The were not found between the two suckers and dorsal surface of posterior body. Two types of sensory papillae, uni-ciliated (Type I) and roundly swollen sensory papillae (Type II), were observed. The type I papillae were chiefly distributed on ventral surface of tegument and type II were on the lips of suckers. Arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumental spines or sensory papillae are regarded as characteristic features of E. japonicus.