A scanning electron microscope study on mononchoides fortidens (Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1951) Taylor & Hechler, 1966

Abstract

Detailed SEM observations were made on Mononchoides fortidens (Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1951) Taylor & Hechler, 1966. The cuticle is marked with fine transverse striations and prominent longitudinal ridges or folds. The lip region is continuous and the lips are not prominent. Each lip bears a single papilla but in males four additional setose cephalic papillae are present. The stomal opening is slit-like, bordered by 13-15 bifid cheilorhabdial filaments. Amphids are small and elliptical and situated post-labially. The stoma has a prominent dorsal tooth with an opening of the oesophageal gland. Other structures in the stoma include a subventral pyramidal tooth, ventro-lateral toothlets or denticles, a dorsal plate and paired dorso-lateral plates. The cheilorhabdions are apparently not fused but rib-like, appearing as bifid structures in face view. The vulva is circular, situated between two longitudinal ridges. The male posterior region has nine pairs of papillae of which three are pre-cloacal and six post-cloacal. Phasmids are large pore-like.