Morphology, performance and attachment function in Corynosoma spp. (Acanthocephala).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Functional inference on the attachment of acanthocephalans has generally been drawn directly from morphology. However, performance of structures is often non-intuitive and context-dependent, thus performance analysis should be included whenever possible to improve functional interpretation. In acanthocephalans, performance analysis of attachment is available only for Acanthocephalus ranae, a species that solely relies on the proboscis to attach. Here we compare body morphology and muscle arrangement in 13 species of Corynosoma, which use their spiny body as a fundamental holdfast. A basic performance analysis using live cystacanths of two representative species is also provided.

Methods

Adults of 13 Corynosoma spp. were obtained from 11 marine mammal species. Spec

SUBMITTER: Aznar FJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6293589 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature