The Ultrastructure of the Integument of the Frog Bladder Fluke, Gorgoderina sp.

Abstract

As seen with the electron microscope, the integument of the frog bladder fluke, Gorgoderina sp., appears to be a modified cytoplasmic portion of a syncy tium, with the perinuclear cytoplasmic units lying in the parenchyma. The perinuclear units synthesize 2 or more types of secretion bodies which are transported to the integument via slender cytoplasmic processes. In addition to secretion bodies, the integument contains many mitochondria localized near its free surface. The surface is bounded by plasma membrane about 75 A thick. Just beneath the membrane is a dense zone of particulate material which may serve a protective function. There is no structural evidence of interchanges between the Integumentary surface and the surrounding environment. Finally, ultrastructural details of the integuments of frog lung and bladder flukes are compared in terms of their dissimilar environments.