The neuro-glandular brain of the Pyramicocephalus phocarum plerocercoid (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidea): Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study.

А novel type of a complex neuro-glandular brain structure including both nervous and glandular elements and associated with sensory ones is detected in Pyramicocephalus phocarum plerocercoid (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), parasite of Gadus morua from the White Sea. The brain has two lateral lobes connected by a long cellular median commissure. The brain is tightly surrounded by glandular cells, which receive numerous synapses from the brain neurons.

Nervous system immunohistochemistry of the parasitic cnidarian Polypodium hydriforme at its free-living stage.

Polypodium hydriforme, the only species in Polypodiozoa, which is currently considered a class of Cnidaria, and likely a sister group to Medusozoa (together with Myxozoa), is a cnidarian adapted to intracellular parasitism inside sturgeon oocytes. Free-living P. hydriforme lives on river bottoms; it walks on supporting tentacles and uses sensory tentacles to capture food and bring it to the mouth.

Ultrastructure and tubulin immunocytochemistry of the copulatory stylet-like structure in Childia species (Acoela).

One of the main characters used in acoel taxonomy is the male copulatory organ. Despite this, ultrastructural studies of this structure are scarce. We studied the ultrastructure of the copulatory organ in eight species of acoels belonging to the taxon Childia.

Basiepidermal nervous system in Nemertoderma westbladi (Nemertodermatida): GYIRFamide immunoreactivity.

The Nemertodermatida are a small group of microscopic marine worms. Recent molecular studies have demonstrated that they are likely to be the earliest extant bilaterian animals. What was the nervous system (NS) of a bilaterian ancestor like? In order to answer that question, the NS of Nemertoderma westbladi was investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence technique and confocal scanning laser microscopy.