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Ultrastructural, cytochemistry and electron tomography analysis of Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider, 1902) (Cestoda: Lytocestidae) reveals novel spermatology characteristics in the Eucestoda

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Abstract

Spermatozoon formation in Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider, 1902) is characterised by the following: (1) apical electron-dense material in the zone of differentiation, (2) typical striated roots situated unconventionally in opposite directions in early stages of spermiogenesis, (3) intercentriolar body composed of three electron-dense and two electron-lucent plates, (4) free flagellum and a flagellar bud that correspond to a greatly reduced flagellum and (5) rotation of free flagellum and a flagellar bud to the median cytoplasmic process at 90°. The development of two flagella of significantly unequal length clearly supports a derived form of spermiogenesis in the Caryophyllidea. New for cestodes is a finding of two additional striated roots situated opposite each other, in conjunction with both the flagellar bud and free flagellum. Mutual position of additional striated roots and typical striated roots is parallel in early stages and perpendicular in advanced stages of spermiogenesis. A complete proximodistal fusion gives rise to a mature spermatozoon consisting of one axoneme, parallel cortical microtubules, a nucleus and a moderately electron-dense cytoplasm with glycogen particles, detected by a technique of Thiéry (J Microsc 6:987–1018, 1967), in the principal regions (II, III, IV). Electron tomography analysis of the free flagellum and one axoneme of a mature spermatozoon of C. fennica provides clear evidence, for the first time, that two tubular structures are present in the central axonemal electron-dense core. Phylogenetically important aspects of spermiogenesis of the Caryophyllidea with one axoneme, and other cestodes with one or two axonemes, are briefly reviewed and discussed.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our colleagues Marta Špakulová and Mikuláš Oros (Slovakia) for providing invaluable help with collecting parasites. We acknowledge the core facility of the Institute of Parasitology, BC ASCR in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, supported by the MEYS CR (LM2015062 Czech-BioImaging). This research was undertaken within the framework of joint research projects (nos. AV ČR-16-08 and SAV-18-21) supported by a bilateral agreement on scientific exchange and cooperation signed by the Czech and Slovak Academies of Sciences. The work was realised within a frame of the Centre of Excellence for Parasitology (Code ITMS: 26220120022) based on the support of the Operational Programme “Research & Development” funded from the European Regional Development Fund (rate 0.4).

Funding

This study was supported by the Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic VEGA (project no. 2/0104/16 to MB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic

    Martina Matoušková & Magdaléna Bruňanská

  2. Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Tomáš Bílý & Jana Nebesářová

  3. Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Tomáš Bílý & Jana Nebesářová

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA

    John S. Mackiewicz

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  1. Martina Matoušková
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  2. Tomáš Bílý
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  3. Magdaléna Bruňanská
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  4. John S. Mackiewicz
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Correspondence to Magdaléna Bruňanská.

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Matoušková, M., Bílý, T., Bruňanská, M. et al. Ultrastructural, cytochemistry and electron tomography analysis of Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider, 1902) (Cestoda: Lytocestidae) reveals novel spermatology characteristics in the Eucestoda. Parasitol Res 117, 3091–3102 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6001-9

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