Histochemical and fine structure observations of the intestinal epithelium of Trichuris suis (Nematoda: Trichuroidea)

Controls on gut phosphatisation: the trilobites from the Weeks Formation Lagerstätte (Cambrian; Utah)

Despite being internal organs, digestive structures are frequently preserved in Cambrian Lagerstätten. However, the reasons for their fossilisation and their biological implications remain to be thoroughly explored. This is particularly true with arthropods – typically the most diverse fossilised organisms in Cambrian ecosystems – where digestive structures represent an as-yet underexploited alternative to appendage morphology for inferences on their biology. Here we describe the phosphatised digestive structures of three trilobite species from the Cambrian Weeks Formation Lagerstätte (Utah). Their exquisite, three-dimensional preservation reveals unique details on trilobite internal anatomy, such as the position of the mouth and the absence of a differentiated crop. In addition, the presence of paired pygidial organs of an unknown function is reported for the first time. This exceptional material enables exploration of the relationships between gut phosphatisation and the biology of organisms. Indeed, soft-tissue preservation is unusual in these fossils as it is restricted to the digestive structures, which indicates that the gut played a central role in its own phosphatisation. We hypothesize that the gut provided a microenvironment where special conditions could develop and harboured a source of phosphorus. The fact that gut phosphatization has almost exclusively been observed in arthropods could be explained by their uncommon ability to store ions (including phosphorous) in their digestive tissues. However, in some specimens from the Weeks Formation, the phosphatisation extends to the entire digestive system, suggesting that trilobites might have had some biological particularities not observed in modern arthropods. We speculate that one of them might have been an increased capacity for ion storage in the gut tissues, related to the moulting of their heavily-mineralised carapace.

A comparison of the sites of acid phosphatase activity in an adult filaria, Setaria sp. and in some gastro-intestinal nematodes

The histochemical localization of acid phosphatase in an adult filaria, Setaria sp. obtained from the peritoneal cavity of a cow was closely examined and compared with that of adult nematodes parasitic in the host alimentary canal; special attention was paid to the intestine and body wall of the parasites. Setaria sp. was found to show high acid phosphatase activity in the interchordal hypodermis of the body wall and uterine microfilariae, and similar activity is suspected to occur in the cuticle. The intestine of this nematode exhibited very low, if any, activity. In contrast, nematodes parasitic on the alimentary canal, such as Toxocara cati, T. canis, Physaloptera sp. and Ancylostoma caninum, showed no activity in the body wall and very high activity in the luminal surface of their intestine. The possible function of the abundant acid phosphatase in the body wall of this filaria is discussed.

Morphological, histochemical, and biochemical studies on the gut of Haemonchus contortus Rud., 1803)

A study has been made on the structure and chemical composition of the gut of Haemonchus contortus (Rud., 1803). The oesophagus has typically a triradiate, cuticle-lined lumen. The intestinal epithelium is provided with a well-developed brush border which contains periodic acid-Schiff-positive mucoproteins. The intestinal epithelium stores glycogen and lipids. It stains diffusely for phospholipids and general proteins and also for terminal-NH2 group. The presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ containing pigments and activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, glucose-6-phosphatase, and 5'-nucleotidase have been observed in the intestinal epithelium. Biochemically pH optimum for intestinal acid phosphatase has been found to be 4.8. The brush border shows positive reactions for acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase, and negative reactions for alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase, and negative reactions for alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase. The presence of enzymes in the brush border is related to extracellular digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Morphological and histochemical observations on the intestinal epithelium of Ascardia galli (Nematoda: Ascaridida)

The intestinal epithelium of Ascardia galli has been studied with various cytological and cytochemical techniques. It consists of large epithelial cells resting on a thick collagenous basal lamina. Their luminal surface is provided with microvilli. The intestinal cells store considerable amounts of glycogen and neutral lipids. Some intracellular granular inclusions, which stain for proteins, phospholipids and lipoproteins, are distributed throughout the cytoplasm. The brush border is composed of microvilli whereas the outer surface coat consists of saliva resistant PAS-positive material. The detailed histochemical analysis of surface material has revealed that it is composed of nonacetylated acid mucopolysaccharides rich in hyaluronic acid with carboxylate polyanions. The brush border shows intense activities of acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase, moderate of ATPase, and lipase, weak of 5'-nucleotidase. Acid phosphatase-positive intracellular structures are seen in the intestinal epithelium which form distinct aggregations.