Tentacular armature of the trypanorhynch cestode Synbothrium filicolle (Linton, 1890) (= Pterobothrium heteracanthum Diesing, 1850) and its taxonomic significance.
The armature of Synbothrium filicolle (Linton, 1890) is shown, based upon examination of Linton's specimens, by light and scanning electron microscopy. This species, a junior synonym of Pterobothrium heterocanthum Diesing 1850, represents the species upon which the genus Pterobothrium Diesing, 1850 was created, but details of the external surface of the tentacular armature have never been established with certainty. A longitudinal band of spiniform microhooks on the external tentacular surface clearly distinguishes this species from the otherwise similar Pterobothrium acanthotruncatum Escalante and Carvajal, 1984. The band merges with a triangular group of uncinate hooks in the basal armature not previously described. The 2 Brazilian species, P. crassicolle Diesing, 1850 and P. heteracanthum, used in the creation of the genus, both possess an external band of hooks. Three different modifications of the armature of the external surface have been described for species of Pterobothrium. These include a discrete band of microhooks, small groups of microhooks continuous with the intercalary rows, and the absence of a band of microhooks.
Brissette
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Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth 02747.
Campbell
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RA
D000818:Animals; D002589:Cestoda / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning