Microscopic studies of Neoechinorhynchus agilis (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) infecting the Thinlip mullet Liza ramada (Mugilidae)

Abstract

Acanthocephalan parasite, Neoechinorhynchus agilis, is recovered and isolated from the Thinlip mullet Liza ramada obtained from the Abu Qir Coasts, Alexandria City, Egypt. Infection with this parasite species has been observed in the intestine for the examined fish. Morphological characterization was performed using light and scanning electron microscopic studies to determine the most characteristic features of the recovered Eoacanthocephalan parasite, such as the presence of globular proboscis with three rows of 6 hooks on each row, single-walled proboscis receptacle inserted at the proboscis base, and long lemnisci. Male worms characterized by testes of tandem position, large cement gland, and saefftigen’s pouch that underlying ducts of seminal vesicle and cement gland. While, female worms have a vagina with vaginal sphincter and opening by funnel into the uterus, selector apparatus between the uterus and uterine ball, ovarian mass fills the space of uterine ball, a genital pore is subterminal and provided with caudal papillae. Furthermore, it compared morphometrically with other Neoechinorhynchus agilis, which had previously described and showed little difference in measurements for different body parts.

Keywords

• Neoechinorhynchidae
• Neoechinorhynchus species
• Morphology