Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2009
The miracidium of Sanguinicola inermis contains a stylet and rodlet complex located within the single apical gland, which lies between a pair of lateral glands. The miracidial stylet consists of an arrangement of hollow tubes, composed of microtubules, connected at their base to large secretory granules and opening anteriorly through the apical papilla. A single rodlet lies adjacent to the stylet base and at least 8 rodlets are arranged at the apical tip of the stylet. The surface plasma membrane of the apical papilla is drawn into knob-like projections and 2 ciliated sensory endings are associated with the papilla. The ultrastructure of the apical gland, especially the stylet and rodlet complex, is related to the requirement for sanguinicolid miracidia to penetrate the double barrier of fish and snail hosts.