Surface ultrastructure of Stictodora fuscatum (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from Kuwait Bay

The surface ultrastructure of adult Stictodora fuscatum recovered from a kitten fed with mullets, Liza macrolepis was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The body was pyriform and concave ventrally. The surface of the body displayed cobblestone-like cytoplasmic processes. Scale-like multipointed spines digitated into 9-12 points covered the anterior surface of the body. The tegumental spines on the posterior surface of the body were smaller, simple-pointed and sparsely distributed. The areas dorsal to the oral sucker and around the excretory pore were spineless. Ciliated sensory papillae were disposed solitary or as conjugated groups on the rim of oral sucker and on anterolateral surface of the body. Unciliated sensory papillae appeared on the lower lip of oral sucker. The rim of oral sucker was interrupted laterally by tegumental spines extending into the inner surface. The gonotyl was armed with chitinous spines composed of 3-4 rows appearing as "cockscomb".