Strigea falconispalumbi (Trematoda: Strigeidae): argentophilic structures of the miracidium.

Abstract

A study of the argentophilic structures of the miracidium of the strigeid digenean Strigea falconispalumbi VIBORG, 1795 was carried out. Miracidia were hatched under laboratory conditions from eggs obtained from adult S. falconispalumbi from the intestine of a naturally infected Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Miracidia were stained with 0.5%. Silver Nitrate solution using standard techniques. The epidermal plates of the miracidium are arranged in four tiers according to the formula (6 + 8 + 4 + 3) = 21. The terabratorium bears 20 papillare. Papillae are also present at the bases of the epidermal plates of the first tier, and also at the margins of the terabratorium between the epidermal plates. The two pores of the excretory ducts are positioned laterally between the third and fourth tiers of epidermal plates.