On the organization of the nuclei in the tegument of some Palaeacanthocephala and Archiacanthocephala

Abstract

The giant tegument nuclei of the acanthocephalans of the classes Archiacanthocephala and Palaeacanthocephala are fragmented at the final stage of cystacanthus formation in the intermediate host, but remain connected with each other during later life. It can be assumed that the fragments of each giant tegument nucleus are united with each other forming an independent network that ensures the vital activity of the tegument, the volume of which increases repeatedly during the period of intensive growth of the parasite in the definitive host.