Ultrastructure of the cercomer of the metacestode Microsomacanthus paraparvula Regel, 1994 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae).

Investigations were undertaken using light and transmission electron microscopy to clearly delineate the morphology of the cercomer, i.e. the protective envelopes and tail appendage, in cysticercoids of Microsomacanthus paraparvula, which develop in the haemocoel of the caddisworm Grensia praeterita (Insecta: Trichoptera). Two protective envelopes, the exocyst and endocyst, were identified. The non-cellular exocyst is found to consist of granular material and of thin, dense membrane-like layers, which are located parallel to each other. The exocyst of the mature metacestode tightly adjoins the outer surface of the endocyst, containing prospective parts (the scolex and the neck), except for the areas at its poles. A long tail appendage is located outside the exocyst. Evidence was found to indicate the existence of active synthetic processes occurring in the tail appendage. Non-cellular exocysts are widely distributed within metacestodes of the families Hymenolepididae and Dilepididae, and, presumably, are formed by means of glandular secretions from the oncosphere, given the early appearance of non-cellular exocysts in ontogeny.