ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE ALIMENTARY-TRACT OF 3RD-STAGE LARVAE OF LITOMOSOIDES-CARINII

The ultrastructural morphology of the alimentary tract of the third-st age larvae of Litomosoides carinii (Nematoda: Filarioidea) is describe d. The oesophagus possesses the characteristic tri-radiate lumen and i s lined by cuticle. The lumen of the oesophagus is tightly occluded an teriorly by particulate material and posteriorly at the oesophagointes tinal junction. Three glands are present in the glandular region, one dorsal and two subventral. These glands contain secretory granules wit h similar morphological and staining properties. The lumen of the inte stine is ill-defined without microvilli and apparently non-functional. It is likely that the larvae feed via the transcuticular route.