The tegument and associated structures of Haplometra cylindracea

Abstract

The tegument of Haplometra cylindracea is protoplasmic. It is organized on two levels, a surface syncytium (‘cuticle’ of the light microscopists) and tegumental cells which lie among the parenchymal cells below the muscle layers. The surface syncytium and tegumental cells are joined together by protoplasmic, tube-like, processes.The surface syncytium is covered apically and basally by a unit plasma membrane. It contains mitochondria, vacuoles, lipid bodies, spines with a crystalline structure and dense secretory bodies. This syncytium lies on a basement membrane and a thick, fibrous, interstitial layer. The connecting protoplasmic processes, which originate from the base of the syncytium, are vacuolated and have few inclusions but, as they approach the tegumental cells, they become progressively filled with cytoplasm, cell inclusions and dense bodies.The tegumental cells consist of individual areas of nucleated protoplasm, usually lying in groups. These cells contain dense secretory bodies, mitochondria, a few lipid droplets, crystalline inclusions, and Golgi complexes. The Golgi complexes and granular endoplasmic reticulum are jointly involved in the production of a dense, probably proteinaceous, secretory body. Some qualitative regional differences in tegumental ultrastructure are described.The tegument of Haplometra is compared with that of other species so far described and like them must be considered both a protective and a secretory epithelium.I should like to express my sincere thanks to the following: The Wellcome Trust and Science Research Council for grants to purchase an Akashi TRS 50 and and A.E.I. EM6B electron microscope respectively; the Royal Society for a personal grant to purchase a Reichert Ultramicrotome and a vacuum coating unit; the Wellcome Trust for a grant to employ a Research Associate.