title: Analysis of the tegument of Zygocotyle lunata (Trematoda: Paramphistomidae) adults by scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: Paramphistomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by various species of the Paramphistomidae. These species mainly affect domestic and wild ruminants; the economic impact of these diseases is often underestimated. Traditionally, the identification of paramphistomes has been difficult and has been based on morphological aspects such as the body shape, the position of the esophagus and cecae, or the tegumental papillae. Despite the many investigations regarding the tegumental papillae for other paramphistomes, very few efforts have been made using Zygocotyle lunata, partly because many authors differ with respect to the importance of papillae in the classification of paramphistomids. Herein, we characterize by scanning electron microscopy new tegumental papillae not previously described on the tegument of 3-wk-old Z. lunata adults obtained from mice. Three morphologically different papillae (rosette, ciliated, and conical papillae) were observed and are described. Based on these results, we assert that the newly recognized morphological features should be used for species differentiation in the future in addition to the new molecular techniques.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia Av Vicente Andrés Estellés, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sotillo
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trelis
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcilla
authors.forename: José-Guillermo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toledo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010250:Paramphistomatidae / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012418:Ruminants / Q000469:parasitology*; D012908:Snails; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*