Germinal development in the sporocysts and rediae of the digenetic trematodes

Planarians to schistosomes: an overview of flatworm cell-types and regulators

Schistosomiasis remains a major neglected tropical disease that afflicts over 200 million people globally. Schistosomes, the aetiological agent of schistosomiasis, are parasitic flatworms that propagate between molluscan and mammalian hosts. Inside the mammalian host, schistosomes rapidly grow over 100-fold in size and develop into a sexually mature male or female that thrives in the bloodstream for several decades. Recent work has identified schistosome stem cells as the source that drives parasite transmission, reproduction and longevity. Moreover, studies have begun to uncover molecular programmes deployed by stem cells that are essential for tissue development and maintenance, parasite survival and immune evasion. Such programmes are reminiscent of neoblast-driven development and regeneration of planarians, the free-living flatworm relative of schistosomes. Over the last few decades, research in planarians has employed modern functional genomic tools that significantly enhanced our understanding of stem cell-driven animal development and regeneration. In this review, we take a broad stroke overview of major flatworm organ systems at the cellular and molecular levels. We summarize recent advances on genetic regulators that play critical roles in differentiation and maintenance of flatworm cell types. Finally, we provide perspectives on how investigation of basic parasite biology is critical to discovering new approaches to battle schistosomiasis.

Germinal development in embryonic rediae of the hemiuroid digenean Bunocotyle progenetica: an ultrastructural study

Embryonic development of reproductive organs in rediae of the digenean Bunocotyle progenetica was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The germinal primordium becomes morphologically distinct in early embryos as a weakly separated cell mass with a forming cavity. It consists of undifferentiated, differentiating, and supporting cells. As embryos develop, the supporting cells form a wall around the enlarging cavity. Other cells of the germinal primordium are incorporated into the wall as solitary cells or as small cell aggregations. Those situated posteriorly give rise to an incipient germinal mass functioning during postembryonic development. Undifferentiated and differentiating cells in the middle and the anterior part of the primordium ensure a considerable growth of the cavity wall, which incorporates solitary germinal cells. In advanced embryonic rediae, these cells mature, cleave, and give rise to germinal balls, which enter the forming brood cavity. In the most mature embryonic rediae, all these early cercarial embryos reside in a brood cavity, which is lined by that time with a syncytium continuous with the supporting tissue of the incipient germinal mass. Based on our results and the literature data, we suggest that the morphogenesis of the reproductive apparatus of the daughter parthenitae in hemiuroid digeneans may be characterized by (1) emergence of an incipient brood cavity within the germinal primordium, (2) formation of the cavity lining from the cells of the germinal primordium, (3) fragmentation and uneven distribution of the germinal material of the germinal primordium around the cavity, and (4) an anticipatory development of some of this germinal material.

Single-cell deconstruction of stem-cell-driven schistosome development

Schistosomes cause one of the most devastating neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis. Their transmission is accomplished through a complex life cycle with two obligate hosts and requires multiple radically different body plans specialized for infecting and reproducing in each host. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies on several schistosome body plans provide a comprehensive map of their cell types, which include stem cells and their differentiated progeny along an intricate developmental hierarchy. This progress not only extends our understanding of the basic biology of the schistosome life cycle but can also inform new therapeutic and preventive strategies against the disease, as blocking the development of specific cell types through genetic manipulations has shown promise in inhibiting parasite survival, growth, and reproduction.

Innovations and Advances in Schistosome Stem Cell Research

Schistosomes infect about 250 million people globally causing the devastating and persistent disease of schistosomiasis. These blood flukes have a complicated life cycle involving alternating infection of freshwater snail intermediate and definitive mammalian hosts. To survive and flourish in these diverse environments, schistosomes transition through a number of distinct life-cycle stages as a result of which they change their body plan in order to quickly adapt to each new environment. Current research suggests that stem cells, present in adults and larvae, are key in aiding schistosomes to facilitate these changes. Given the recent advances in our understanding of schistosome stem cell biology, we review the key roles that two major classes of cells play in the different life cycle stages during intramolluscan and intramammalian development; these include the germinal cells of sporocysts involved in asexual reproduction in molluscan hosts and the neoblasts of adult worms involved in sexual reproduction in human and other mammalian hosts. These studies shed considerable new light in revealing the stem cell heterogeneity driving the propagation of the schistosome life cycle. We also consider the possibility and value of establishing stem cell lines in schistosomes to advance schistosomiasis research. The availability of such self-renewable resources will provide new platforms to study stem cell behavior and regulation, and to address fundamental aspects of schistosome biology, reproductive development and survival. In turn, such studies will create new avenues to unravel individual gene function and to optimize genome-editing processes in blood flukes, which may lead to the design of novel intervention strategies for schistosomiasis.

Single-cell analysis of Schistosoma mansoni identifies a conserved genetic program controlling germline stem cell fate

Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms causing one of the most prevalent infectious diseases from which millions of people are currently suffering. These parasites have high fecundity and their eggs are both the transmissible agents and the cause of the infection-associated pathology. Given its biomedical significance, the schistosome germline has been a research focus for more than a century. Nonetheless, molecular mechanisms that regulate its development are only now being understood. In particular, it is unknown what balances the fate of germline stem cells (GSCs) in producing daughter stem cells through mitotic divisions versus gametes through meiosis. Here, we perform single-cell RNA sequencing on juvenile schistosomes and capture GSCs during de novo gonadal development. We identify a genetic program that controls the proliferation and differentiation of GSCs. This program centers around onecut, a homeobox transcription factor, and boule, an mRNA binding protein. Their expressions are mutually dependent in the schistosome male germline, and knocking down either of them causes over-proliferation of GSCs and blocks germ cell differentiation. We further show that this germline-specific regulatory program is conserved in the planarian, schistosome's free-living evolutionary cousin, but the function of onecut has changed during evolution to support GSC maintenance.

The fine structure of the germinal mass, brood cavity and birth canal of the rediae of the monoxenous hemiuroid digenean Bunocotyle progenetica Chabaud & Buttner, 1959

Bunocotyle progenetica is a hemiuroid digenean whose sexual adults become fully developed and lay their eggs inside the rediae in the molluscan host. In this study, the fine structure of the germinal mass, brood cavity and birth canal in the B. progenetica rediae was examined using transmission electron and confocal microscopy. The large germinal mass attached to the body wall has a cellular composition typical for this organ. The characteristic traits of this germinal mass are weakly developed supporting tissue and the presence of deep lacunae opening into the brood cavity. These lacunae presumably participate in feeding the deeply lying embryos and facilitate their release into the brood cavity. The germinal mass is also characterized by intensive degeneration of cellular elements, which may represent a mechanism controlling the offspring number, limited in this species by the size of the redial brood cavity. The brood-cavity lining consists of flattened cells bearing lamellar projections and is connected anteriorly with the epithelium of the birth canal. The brood-cavity musculature, which is well developed in other hemiuroid digeneans, is significantly reduced in B. progenetica, most likely because their cystophorous cercariae remain inside the rediae, removing the need for muscle contractions pushing them through the brood cavity. The birth canal comprises three regions distinguished by the structure of the lining and muscle arrangement. The comparison of rediae of B. progenetica with parthenitae of other digeneans has shown that the organization of the redial reproductive apparatus in this species may have been influenced by life-cycle modification.

Dosage Compensation throughout the Schistosoma mansoni Lifecycle: Specific Chromatin Landscape of the Z Chromosome

Differentiated sex chromosomes are accompanied by a difference in gene dose between X/Z-specific and autosomal genes. At the transcriptomic level, these sex-linked genes can lead to expression imbalance, or gene dosage can be compensated by epigenetic mechanisms and results into expression level equalization. Schistosoma mansoni has been previously described as a ZW species (i.e., female heterogamety, in opposition to XY male heterogametic species) with a partial dosage compensation, but underlying mechanisms are still unexplored. Here, we combine transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) and epigenetic data (ChIP-Seq against H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H4K20me1 histone marks) in free larval cercariae and intravertebrate parasitic stages. For the first time, we describe differences in dosage compensation status in ZW females, depending on the parasitic status: free cercariae display global dosage compensation, whereas intravertebrate stages show a partial dosage compensation. We also highlight regional differences of gene expression along the Z chromosome in cercariae, but not in the intravertebrate stages. Finally, we feature a consistent permissive chromatin landscape of the Z chromosome in both sexes and stages. We argue that dosage compensation in schistosomes is characterized by chromatin remodeling mechanisms in the Z-specific region.

Stem cell heterogeneity drives the parasitic life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms infecting hundreds of millions of people. These parasites alternate between asexual reproduction in molluscan hosts and sexual reproduction in mammalian hosts; short-lived, water-borne stages infect each host. Thriving in such disparate environments requires remarkable developmental plasticity, manifested by five body plans deployed throughout the parasite’s life cycle. Stem cells in Schistosoma mansoni provide a potential source for such plasticity; however, the relationship between stem cells from different life-cycle stages remains unclear, as does the origin of the germline, required for sexual reproduction. Here, we show that subsets of larvally derived stem cells are likely sources of adult stem cells and the germline. We also identify a novel gene that serves as the earliest marker for the schistosome germline, which emerges inside the mammalian host and is ultimately responsible for disease pathology. This work reveals the stem cell heterogeneity driving the propagation of the schistosome life cycle.

Parasitic flatworms called schistosomes infect around 250 million people, causing the disease schistosomiasis. Schistosomes live complex lives, spending part of their life cycle inside snails and part of it inside mammals; short-lived, water-borne stages infect each of these hosts. To thrive in such different environments, schistosomes go through several life-cycle stages. At each stage the flatworms transition to a new body plan adapted to its new environment. Understanding how these transitions occur could help researchers devise new strategies for eliminating these parasites.

Previous research suggested that stem cells help schistosomes transition to new body plans. Stem cells have the ability to transform into many different cell types, and have been found in schistosome larvae and adults. However, the relationship between the larval and adult stem cells was not clear.

Wang et al. used transcriptional profiling, a technique that measures the genes currently in use in different cells, to study the stem cells in the schistosome species Schistosoma mansoni. This uncovered four types of stem cell, each of which uses a slightly different combination of genes. Examining the behaviour of these cells at different schistosome life-cycle stages revealed that certain larval stem cells produce adult stem cells. Other larval stem cells seem to be the source of the ‘germline’ cells that make gametes (egg and sperm) and allow the parasites to reproduce sexually.

Schistosomes only produce germline cells when they are inside mammals. Wang et al. found that as juvenile flatworms develop inside mouse blood vessels, a gene called eledh becomes active in some of their stem cells. Further investigation showed that this activity is the earliest indicator that germline cells are developing and is also required for proper development of the germline. This knowledge, along with future work to characterize the roles of the stem cell populations identified by Wang et al., could ultimately help researchers develop new ways to stop the spread of schistosomiasis.

Reproduction of trematodes in the molluscan host: an ultrastructural study of the germinal mass and brood cavity in daughter rediae of Tristriata anatis Belopolskaia, 1953 (Digenea: Notocotylidae)

This study describes the fine structure of the germinal mass in daughter rediae of Tristriata anatis. The germinal mass consists of undifferentiated cells, germinal cells and supporting cells and contains numerous cercarial embryos up to tail bud stage. Supporting cells and their outgrowths form a tight meshwork of the germinal mass. In its basal part, this meshwork serves as scaffolding for undifferentiated and germinal cells, naked cell aggregates and early germinal balls. More mature embryos are located apically. The hypertrophied supporting tissue appears to be involved in an intensive transport of substances, as indicated by abundant gap junctions between cell outgrowths and numerous pinocytotic vesicles and microtubules in their cytoplasm. Germinal cells contain annulate lamellae and the nuage, typical organelles of animal oocytes. In young rediae containing embryonic cercariae at the tail bud stage, the supporting tissue starts to degenerate in the apical part of the germinal mass, and a primordial brood cavity emerges though it develops fully only in mature rediae containing late embryonic cercariae. An unusual feature of the germinal mass in T. anatis rediae is an enhancement of the embryo brooding function. At the same time, the performance of this function by the brood cavity is reduced. This is the first time such a redistribution of the embryo brooding function between the germinal mass and the brood cavity has been reported.

Histological description of Cercaria etgesii Shchenkov, 2017 daughter sporocysts (Trematoda: Pleurogenidae): compartmentalization of the brood cavity and germinal mass morphology

Morphology of the daughter sporocysts of Cercaria etgesii Shchenkov, 2017 (Pleurogenidae) has been described according to conventional histological techniques and subsequent 3D reconstruction with Bitplanelmaris® software. Novel data were obtained concerning the spatial organization of the brood cavity of Pleurogenidae daughter sporocysts. It was shown that the laminated structures of the endocyst are lining the brood cavity and carry out its compartmentalisation by formation of the chambers around developing and disintegrating embryos of cercariae. First description of the germinal mass of the Pleurogenidae daughter sporocysts is given. No mitoses in germinal mass were evident although apparent production of the cercariae embryos by the sporocysts take place. The analogous principle of daughter sporocysts morphofunctional organisation was noted for the studied representatives of closely related taxa of trematodes: Pleurogenidae (C. etgesii) and Microphallidae (Microphallus 'pygmaeus' group).

Reproduction of Echinostoma caproni mother sporocysts (Trematoda)

The localisation and the composition of germinal material in miracidia and mother sporocysts of Echinostoma caproni were studied with the use of histological and electron microscopic methods. Germinal material in miracidia was localised in the posterior body half and was represented by 3-4 undifferentiated cells and 5-7 germinal cells. Taken together, these cells are referred to as the primordium of the germinal mass. In the mother sporocyst, germinal elements also form and develop in the germinal mass, which is located caudally. It comprises undifferentiated cells and germinal cells as well as embryos of various ages (up to the stage of 30-50 blastomeres). Germinal cells divide only by cleavage. New germinal cells are formed only from undifferentiated cells, which can proliferate in the germinal mass and nowhere else. This indicates that the germinal mass is the reproductive organ of E. caproni mother sporocyst.

Schistosomiasis as a disease of stem cells

Schistosomiasis is a devastating parasitic disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The complex life cycles and developmental plasticity of these parasites have captured the attention of parsitologists for decades, yet little is known on the molecular level about the developmental underpinnings that have allowed these worms to thrive as obligate parasites. Here, we describe basic schistosome biology and highlight how understanding the functions of stem cells in these worms will transform our understanding of these parasites. Indeed, we propose that schistosomiasis is fundamentally as disease of stem cells. We hope this review will attract new interest in the basic developmental biology of these important organisms.

Trematode maturation patterns in a migratory snail host: What happens during upshore residency in a Mediterranean lagoon?

Maturation of trematode larval stages is expected to be temporally and spatially adapted to maximise the encounter with the adequate downstream host, i.e. the host, which will be infected by this parasite stage. Since studies on intramolluscan parasite maturation are scarce but important in the context of parasite transmission, the larval development inside sporocysts was monitored during upshore residency of the snail host Gibbula adansonii (Trochidae), i.e., from March to May (2011 and 2013), when these snails temporarily reside in the intertidal habitat of a Western Mediterranean lagoon (40° 37' 35″ N, 0° 44' 31″ E, Spain). Data on the relative quantity of different maturation stages of Cainocreadium labracis and Macvicaria obovata (Opecoelidae) parasitising the G. adansonii as well as on snail and sporocyst size were explored using linear models and linear mixed models. The effect of the trematodes on snail growth was shown to be species-specific, with snail and sporocyst size acting as proxies of the reproductive capacity of M. obovata but not that of C. labracis. The number of cercarial embryos and germinal balls did not show monthly variation in either parasite species, but a higher number of mature stages and the highest maturity index was found in April. Hence, during the snail's limited spawning-related presence in the upshore waters of the lagoon, continuous production and output of infectious cercariae was observed, which indicates a link between larval maturation and snail migration. The synchronization of snails, mature parasite transmission stages and downstream hosts in time and space guarantees a successful completion of the life cycle.

Trematode reproduction in the molluscan host: an ultrastructural study of the germinal mass in the rediae of Himasthla elongata (Mehlis, 1831) (Digenea: Echinostomatidae)

The germinal mass in Himasthla elongata rediae was studied in detail using transmission electron microscopy. It was shown to be a specialized reproductive organ consisting of germinal cells at various maturation stages, supporting cells and stem cells. The germinal mass also contains early cercarial embryos emerging as a result of cleavage division of mature germinal cells. The stem cells that give rise to germinal cells have heterochromatin-rich nuclei with distinct nucleoli and scarce cytoplasm containing mainly free ribosomes and few mitochondria. The differentiating germinal cells undergo a growth, which is accompanied by an emergence of annulate lamellae and the nuage in their cytoplasm, a noticeable development of RER and Golgi apparatus and an increase in the number of mitochondria. The mitochondria form a large group at one of the cell poles. During differentiation, the nucleus and nucleolus of the germinal cell enlarge while the chromatin becomes gradually less condensed. The supporting tissue of the germinal mass is made up of cells connected by septate junctions. These supporting cells are distinctly different in cellular shape and nuclear ultrastructure. Their outgrowths form a tight meshwork housing stem cells, germinal cells and early cercarial embryos. The cytoplasm of the supporting cells in the mesh area is separated into fine parallel layers by labyrinthine narrow cavities communicating with the intercellular space. The supporting tissue contains differentiating and degenerating cells which indicates its renewal. The results of this ultrastructural study lend support to the hypothesis that the germinal cells of digeneans are germ line cells.

Functional genomic characterization of neoblast-like stem cells in larval Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomes infect hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. Transmission of these parasites relies on a stem cell-driven, clonal expansion of larvae inside a molluscan intermediate host. How this novel asexual reproductive strategy relates to current models of stem cell maintenance and germline specification is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that this proliferative larval cell population (germinal cells) shares some molecular signatures with stem cells from diverse organisms, in particular neoblasts of planarians (free-living relatives of schistosomes). We identify two distinct germinal cell lineages that differ in their proliferation kinetics and expression of a nanos ortholog. We show that a vasa/PL10 homolog is required for proliferation and maintenance of both populations, whereas argonaute2 and a fibroblast growth factor receptor-encoding gene are required only for nanos-negative cells. Our results suggest that an ancient stem cell-based developmental program may have enabled the evolution of the complex life cycle of parasitic flatworms.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00768.001

Schistosomiasis—a disease caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes—affects more than 200 million people worldwide, mainly in tropical regions, and in public health importance is second only to malaria (according to the World Health Organization). Chronic infection leads to damage to internal organs, and the disease is responsible for roughly 250,000 deaths each year.

The schistosome parasite has a complex life cycle, and the worms are capable of infecting mammals during just one stage of this cycle. Infection occurs through contact with contaminated freshwater, with the infectious form of the parasite burrowing through skin. Once inside the body, the parasites mature into adults, before reproducing sexually and laying eggs that are excreted by their host back into the water supply.

However, to generate the form of the parasite that can infect mammals, schistosomes must first infect an intermediate host, namely a freshwater snail. When the larval form of the parasite—which cannot infect mammals—enters the snail, the larvae undergo an unusual type of asexual embryogenesis. This results in thousands of parasites that are capable of infecting mammals. Studies suggest that a population of cells known as germinal cells are responsible for this transformation and replication process, but little is known about these cells at the molecular level.

Here, Wang et al. report the gene expression profile of these cells in a species of schistosome, and use RNA-mediated silencing techniques to explore the functions of the genes. This analysis revealed that the germinal cells have a molecular signature similar to that of neoblasts—adult pluripotent stem cells found in free-living flatworms such as planarians. Neoblasts can develop into any cell type in the body, enabling planarians to repair or even replace damaged body parts.

The similarity between neoblasts and germinal cells led Wang et al. to suggest that schistosomes may have evolved their parasitic life cycle partly by adapting a program of development based on stem cells in non-parasitic worms.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00768.002

Social organization in a flatworm: trematode parasites form soldier and reproductive castes

In some of the most complex animal societies, individuals exhibit a cooperative division of labour to form castes. The most pronounced types of caste formation involve reproductive and non-reproductive forms that are morphologically distinct. In colonies comprising separate or mobile individuals, this type of caste formation has been recognized only among the arthropods, sea anemones and mole-rats. Here, we document physical and behavioural caste formation in a flatworm. Trematode flatworm parasites undergo repeated clonal reproduction of 'parthenitae' within their molluscan hosts forming colonies. We present experimental and observational data demonstrating specialization among trematode parthenitae to form distinct soldier and reproductive castes. Soldiers do not reproduce, have relatively large mouthparts, and are much smaller and thinner than reproductives. Soldiers are also more active, and are disproportionally common in areas of the host where invasions occur. Further, only soldiers readily and consistently attack heterospecifics and conspecifics from other colonies. The division of labour described here for trematodes is strongly analogous to that characterizing other social systems with a soldier caste. The parallel caste formation in these systems, despite varying reproductive mode and taxonomic affiliation, indicates the general importance of ecological factors in influencing the evolution of social behaviour. Further, the 'recognition of self' and the defence of the infected host body from invading parasites are comparable to aspects of immune defence. A division of labour is probably widespread among trematodes and trematode species encompass considerable taxonomic, life history and environmental diversity. Trematodes should therefore provide new, fruitful systems to investigate the ecology and evolution of sociality.

Electron Microscope and Histochemical Observations on the Daughter Sporocyst of Schistosoma mattheei and Schistosoma bovis

Electron-microscopical, histological and histochemical observations were carried out on the body wall of the daughter sporocyst stage of Schistosoma mattheei and S. bovis. Electron microscopy revealed that the body wall consists of a continuous outer layer of cytoplasm, collagen fibres, fibroblasts and a layer of somatic cells which are apparently continuous with the cytoplasmic layer. This layer forms numerous microvilli at the surface.

Pronounced alkaline phosphatase activity was found in the sporocyst body wall, but no evidence of esterases was found in the parasite although esterase activity was readily demonstrated in the snail tissue that the schistosome parasitized.

It is concluded that the passage of substances such as glucose across the surface of the sporocyst is an active process probably mediated by enzymes and that little, if any, lipid metabolism occurs in the sporocyst stage.

An ultrastructural study of reproduction in the sporocysts of Prosorhynchoides gracilescens (Digenea: Bucephalidae)

The germinal development in Prosorhynchoides gracilescens sporocysts was studied using electron microscopy. The germinal cells proliferated and developed within multiple floating germinal masses located in the terminal portions of sporocyst branches. The germinal masses were composed of supporting and germinal cells. Supporting cells possessed numerous flattened extensions that spread around and between developing germinal cells to form three-dimensional mesh network, which maintained the integrity of the germinal mass. Morphological evidences of close interactions between supporting and germinal cells were numerous gap junctions between the two cell types and phagocytosis of small fragments of germinal cells cytoplasm by supporting cells. The germinal cells displayed structural differences that seemed to reflect their sequential developmental changes. These changes included (1) cell growth and increase of organelles number, (2) dispersion of nuclear chromatin and increase of nucleolus size, (3) polarization of the cell, (4) appearance of specific structures such as nuage and laminated inclusions. The germinal cells left the germinal masses to finish their differentiation in the body cavity and then cleaved to give rise to cercarial embryos. Ultrastructural features of the germinal elements of P. gracilescens sporocysts are discussed in the light of existing controversy concerning the nature of the germinal sacs reproduction.

Parthenogenesis and asexual multiplication among parasitic platyhelminths

Among flatworms with parasitic and commensal modes of existence, parthenogenesis and asexual multiplication appear to be largely confined to the Digenea and Cestoda, the only parasitic platyhelminths that routinely utilize indirect life-cycles. Parthenogenesis is apparently restricted to a minority of adult digeneans and cestodes inhabiting their final hosts, and a survey is made of the particular modes of parthenogenesis (i.e. apomictic, automictic and generative) which are employed by such adults. Asexual (amictic) multiplication, in the form of fissioning, is demonstrated by young adults of the cyclophyllidean cestode, Mesocestoides corti, but is otherwise not exhibited by adult cestodes or digeneans, other than in the perplexing phenomenon of proglottid formation in polyzoic tapeworms. Secondary multiplication is of ubiquitous occurrence in digenean life-cycles in the form of the proliferation which takes place within sporocysts and rediae (germinal sacs) located in the first intermediate host. The controversy concerning the nature of this multiplication is reconsidered in the context of recent findings which have centred on cellular aspects. On the basis of present evidence germinal sac multiplication should be regarded as an asexual rather than a parthenogenetic process. The cestode asexual multiplication which occurs in intermediate hosts is a function of the metacestode stage of development. Metacestode proliferation is only known from about 20 species and 6 families of polyzoic cestodes with approximately half the described instances occurring in the family Taeniidae. The organization of these proliferative metacestodes, findings concerning their totipotent stem cells and the ontogeny of buds and new scolices are all reviewed. Finally, the capacity for population expansion of multiplicative larval digeneans and metacestodes are compared, while the ecological roles and the genetical consequences of both parthenogenesis and amictic multiplication in the two taxa are also examined.

The stimulation of daughter redia production during the larval development of Fasciola hepatica

In snails maintained at 20 degrees C rediae of Fasciola hepatica merge from sporocysts from 11 days after infection onwards. The number of mother rediae rises steadily thereafter until at least 40 days after infection. Daughter rediae are seldom observed in mother rediae dissected from snails maintained at 20 degrees C. Their production can, however, be stimulated by subjecting the snail host to starvation, to low, and to high temperature shocks. The parasite is susceptible to stress from immediately after infection for about 16 days, when maintained at 20 degrees C. In general, the more extreme the shock, the greater is daughter redial production. Increasing the length of the period of stress from 12 h up to 9 days does not increase the production of daughter rediae, nor does repeated on/off cold shocks or continuous maintenance at 10 degrees C. Daughter rediae develop more rapidly than cercariae and leave the mother rediae several days earlier. There is no evidence that presence of daughter rediae coincides with the suppression of cercarial production. The findings are discussed with reference to possible mechanisms by which parasite development might be controlled.

The origin and development of the epidermis and associated structures in the cercaria of Cryptocotyle lingua (Creplin) (Digenea: Heterophyidae) from Littorina littorea (L.)

Cercariae of Cryptocotyle lingua develop from intraredial germinal cells which divide to form ‘naked’ cell aggregates and later germ balls covered, first, by a syncytial primitive epithelium and later a syncytial epidermis formed, in sequence, from superficial cells of the embryo. The primitive epithelium is soon lost. The original nuclei of the syncytial epidermis degenerate when the first series of epidermal cell bodies, formed immediately below and having the characters of protein synthesizing cells, become connected with it. The first cell bodies are replaced by a series of five types of epidermal (secretory) cell bodies developing in the parenchyma and giving off cytoplasmic processes which become connected, in sequence, with the outer cytoplasmic layer. Secretion bodies from four of the five types are discharged into the outer cytoplasmic layer, before the cercaria leaves the molluscan host, and remain there in the free swimming cercaria. The secretions of the fifth type are retained in their epidermal (secretory) cell bodies. The arrangement of the secretion bodies in the outer cytoplasmic layer and their histochemical reactions suggest possible functions concerned, later, with entry into and encystment within the second intermediate fish host.

Reproduction in the daughter sporocyst of Cercaria bucephalopsis hai meana (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1854) (Bucephalidae) and the Cercaria dichotoma Lebour, 1911 (non Müller) (Gymnophallidae)

The germ-cell cycle and method of reproduction in the daughter sporocysts of the bucephalid Cercaria bucephalopsis haimeana (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1854) and the gymnophallid Cercaria dichotoma Lebour, 1911 (non Müller) from the edible cockle, Cardium edule L., have been investigated by the examination of stained sections. A review is given of the principal interpretative theories which attempt to explain the nature of the reproduction and the homology of the germinal sacs of the Digenea. It is suggested that the life-cycle includes a cyclic alternation of homologous generations. Of these, the miracidium/mother-sporocyst and the daughter germinal-sac generations usually reproduce by apomictic parthenogenesis but polyembryony may also occur secondarily in some species.

We are very grateful to Dr Gwendolen Rees and Professor E. W. Knight-Jones for considerable help with the manuscript.

Penetration by the miracidia of S. mansoni into the snail host

The process of attack and penetration of the snail hosts by miracidia is an important stage in the life history of most digenetic trematodes. This paper is concerned with the mechanism of penetration, and further development within the snail, of Schistosoma mansoni as revealed in serial sections.