The locomotion of the acanthor ofMoniliformis dubius(Archiacanthocephala)
- 1 February 1971
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Parasitology
- Vol. 62 (1) , 35-47
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182000071274
Abstract
The mature egg and the acanthor ofMoniliformis dubiushave been redescribed with special emphasis on the features relevant to the locomotion of this larval acanthocephalan. The movements of acanthors have been analysed by the use of frame by frame study of filmed records of motile acanthors. Acanthors appear to use the same mode of locomotion for hatching, locomotion within the gut of the intermediate host and penetration of the host's gut wall. Movement is produced by a set of spiralled, longitudinal muscles in the body wall of the hind body and two rostellar retractor muscles. This musculature acts both directly on the body wall and indirectly by hydraulic effects via the hydrostatic skeleton of pseudocoelomic fluid. The spiny evertable rostellum and the backward facing spines of the hind body are the means whereby shape changes of the acanthor interact with the immediate environment to produce effective progression.I should like to thank Professor D. Arthur for the provision of laboratory facilities, Dr D. W. T. Crompton for the initial gift of eggs ofM. dubiusand Mr R. D. Reed for invaluable assistance with microcinematographic technique. The work was carried out during the tenure of a Nuffield Foundation Research Fellowship.Keywords
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