Absorption enhancing microtriches of Bothriocephalus sp. were studied in relation to location, size, density, structure, and possible function using SEM.

Carp, C. carpio, were collected by gill nets set in Lake Powell, Utah. Tapeworms were collected from the carp intestine and relaxed in a cold water bath for 12 hours, placed in 1% cacodylate buffered glutaraldehyde, washed in a cacodylate buffer, soaked overnight in 1% OsO4, washed in buffer, dehydrated in an ETOH series, critical point dried, attached to stubs, and sputter coated for four minutes with gold. Bothriocephalus was viewed at varying magnifications using the JEOL 6100 scanning electron microscope. Density counts and measurements were conducted using digitized images and the program Semafore. Images were collected from the scolex and 8 equal body sections. Microtriches were measured from the tip to the base.