Preliminary Observations on the Ultrastructure of the Body Wall of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the metasomal body wall of the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis has been studied.The cuticle was seen to be pierced by numerous pores leading into tubular channels of the striped layer which appeared to have connections with the endoplasmic reticulum deeper in the body wall. The inner edge of the body wall was perforated by a number of channels which, it was thought, might form the final link in a chain of ramifying channels leading from the exterior of the parasite to the pseudocoel. The syncytial cytoplasm of the body wall was thought to be supported by the network of strands forming the felt layer.