Electron Microscopic Studies on the Sclerites of Dactylogyrus extensus Mueller & Van Cleave, 1932 (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) an ecto parasite from Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract

Dacylogyrus extensus is a highly pathogenic monogenea among cyprinid fish than Dactylogyrus vastator. Discrimination of the related parasite always carried out through light microscopy and electronmicroscopy. Therefore the release of sclerites free from attached musculature is vital. Using sonication technique and subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the functional morphology of the attachment and copulatory sclerites of Dactylogyrus extensus extracted from Cyprinus carpio L. was studied. Ultrasonication technique to release the hamuli and marginals has also allowed for the description of several previously unrecorded structures. These included two specialized sites of attachment for the auxillary sclerite on the hamulus and the form of copulatory organ and marginal hook. The hamuli of immature dactylogyrid worms can be discriminated from those of adult worms on the basis of the extent of development of the auxillary sclerite attachment of the hamulus.