title: SEM evidence for existence of an apical disc on the scolex of Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819): comparative results of various fixation techniques.
abstract: The scolex of the bothriocephalidean cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The comparative results of various fixation procedures and techniques are presented. The scolex of C. crassiceps is oval to globular and exhibits two deep bothria which appear in the form of two lobes separated by a longitudinal groove. At the apex of the scolex, resembling a beret, an apical disc is present (oval, flattened and with a sinuous edge). Our results are compared with those previously reported in other species of Clestobothrium. This study represents the first report which highlights the presence of an apical disc in the scolex of C. crassiceps. It describes the effects of different procedures applied to our material during preparation and a comparative analysis results obtained using these various methods.
authors.affiliation: Laboratori de Parasitologia, Departament de Microbiologia i Parasitologia Sanitàries, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain. jordimiquel@ub.edu
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.forename: Zdzisław
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Swiderski
authors.forename: Adji Mama
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marigo
authors.forename: Eulàlia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002589:Cestoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*