THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM OF THE CERCARIA OF DIPLOSTOMUM-PSEUDOSPATHACEUM NIEW., 1984 (DIGENEA) - A PHALLOIDIN-RHODAMINE FLUORESCENCE AND TEM STUDY

The entire muscular system of the cercaria of D. pseudospathaceum was studied using a wholemount fluorescence technique with rhodamine-label led phalloidin. The body-wall musculature of the main body consists of circular, longitudinal and diagonal muscles. The musculature of the t ail, anterior organ, ventral sucker, and certain parts of the alimenta ry tract are distinct. The ultrastructure of the two main types of mus cle cells (smooth and cross-striated) were described, as was the diffe rentiation of smooth muscles in particular organs. Muscle cells with t wo major opposing systems of myofilaments were found in the oesophagus .