Contribution of electron microscoopic studies to the biology and classification of parasitic cestodes [review article]

ABSTRACT

Members of phylum Platyhelminthes are leaf-like or tape-like worms. Class Cestoidea are exclusively parasitic organisms; covered with a nonciliated integument; ciliated epithelium, when present, confined to embryos [onchospheres] hatched from eggs; scolex provided with suckers and frequently hooks for attachment to host tissue; body in most species divided into separate, sexually complete proglottids. Class Cestoidea comprises two subclasses Cestodaria body undivided; only one set of reproductive organs; oncosphere hatching from egg has 10 hooklets. Cestoda body typically with scolex and series of proglottids,each with one set [rarely 2 sets] of male and female organs; oncosphere typically has 6 hooklets [Beaver et al., 1984]