Morphology and ultrastructure of the digenetic trematode calicophoron microbothrium from a cow in Taif, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Several digenetic trematode flukes belonging to the family Paramphistomidae were recovered from a cow slaughtered at Taif abattoir KSA. Parasites were identified as Calicophoron microbothrium [Tamily Paramphistomidae] .The surface tegumental structures and the anatomical details of the flukes were studied by making sagittal hand sections in the fluke and observations were made by scanning electron microscopy, which is a very useful technique in case of paramphis-tomes. This included the description of tegumental surface of the fluke, mouth opening and pharynx, acetabulum, genital atrium, caecum and eggs. Adult C. microbothrium is described for the first time using SEM from Saudi Arabia