SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE INTEGUMENTAL SURFACE OF ORIENTOBILHARZIA-TURKESTANICA

The present report is concerned with the integumental surface microtopography of critical point of dried juvenile and adult Orientobilharzia turkestanica, as visualized with the scanning electron microscope.The shallow and elaborate tegumental folds with variable numbers of sensory bulbs occur on the anterior and middle parts of the body surface of female O. turkestanica. The dorsal body surface of the posterior part of female is characterised by numerous cuticular thickenings with central opening. In the areas between these cuticular thickenings, small spines are distributed over the surface. Each spine fits into a tegumental pit. The inner surface of female oral sucker is clothed with shallower tegumental elevations, and some unprominent small spines directed toward the esophagus.Elevated tegumental folds cover the body surface of the male and extend to the gynecophoral folds. Many sensory bulbs occur on the greater part of the body surface, gyneeophoral folds and the lateral edges of the gynecophoral canal. Under normal conditions, all the sensory bulbs of different sizes are covered by the tegumental folds. The larger sensory bulb appears as a prominent small protoberance with a central cilium. The smaller sensory bulb appears as papilla-like elevation with a central pit, the cilium of which often is obscured by the elevated tegument. Specimens washed with water are devoid of tegumental folds. The sensory bulbs of different, sizes are revealed on the body surface. Bach sensory bulb possesses a central cilium.The body surface of juvenile male takes a rougher corrugated appearance. There are also present many sensory bulbs with central cilia on the body surface. Many small spines are distributed over the body surface. At the magnifications of 3,000-5,000, the oral sucker and acetabulum of the male juvenile show a roughened rim with spines of 6-7 lines and 7-8 lines respectively. The linings of the suckers are covered with spines of an uniform size directed toward the centre. Each spine also fits into a tegumental socket. The spines of suckers of 58-days-old male adults are about three times longer than those of 20-days-old male juveniles.A triangular lip-like genital papilla is seen at the anterior end of gynecophoral canal. The inner surface of gynecophoral canal is covered with many spines. They are uniform in size and are directed toward lateral and anterior areas.