The Comparative Histochemistry of the Infective Oncospheres of OOCHORISTICA OSHEROFFI Meggitt, 1934, and OOCHORISTICA SCELOPORI Voge and Fox, 1950, (Cyclophyllidea: Linstowiidae) with Notes on the Origins of the Egg Membranes

Author

Gary R. Coulter

Abstract

Infective oncospheres of Oochorlstica osheroffi and Oochoristica scelopori were compared using fifteen histochemical tests. Vital stains were also used.

Carnoy’s-fixed gravid proglottids were vacuum-embedded in a paraffin-piccolyte mixture and cut transversely at 6 microns. Sections were tested for the presence of phosphatases, proteins, sclerotin precursors, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and acid mucopolysaccharides.

Oncospheres were histochemlcally very similar. Heavy concentrations of mucoproteins and glycoproteins were detected in the oncospheral coat of O. scelopori. Acid phosphatase was found in the embryophore of O. osheroffi, but could not be demonstrated in O. scelopori. No evidence of a sclerotized egg capsule was found in either species.

In both species studied, the embryophore is formed by the degeneration of cells of the inner envelope. The outer envelope is formed by two macromeres and gradually accumulates many large lipid droplets. The possible origin of these droplets is discussed.

This study confirms the often hypothesized cellular origin of the embryophore, outer envelope and Inner envelope. These structures were previously reported as being formed acellularly.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Elmer A. Widmer

Second Advisor

Edward D. Wagner

Third Advisor

Berney H. Neufeld

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1972

Date (Title Page)

6-1972

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Cestoda -- classification

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 45

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Copyright

Author

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Recommended Citation

Coulter, Gary R., "The Comparative Histochemistry of the Infective Oncospheres of OOCHORISTICA OSHEROFFI Meggitt, 1934, and OOCHORISTICA SCELOPORI Voge and Fox, 1950, (Cyclophyllidea: Linstowiidae) with Notes on the Origins of the Egg Membranes" (1972). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 1522.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1522

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives