Some cytochemical observations on Zschokkella auerbachi (Weill) Chakravarty, 1940 (myxosporidia, protozoa)

Abstract

Cytochemical observations have been made on the different developmental stages of Zschokkella auerbachi (Weill) Chakravarty, 1940, a coelozoic parasite in the gall bladder of Bufo melanostictus SCHNEIDER. Feulgen-positive substance (DNA) is found to be present in the nucleus in all stages of life cycle. Extra-nuclear DNA is also present in the spore coat, poplar capsule and poplar filaments. PAS-positive substances occur in varying concentration in all developmental stages and these remain, in lesser intensity, even after digestion with saliva. Toludine Blue metachromatic (gamma) substances are present only in spore coat and poplar capsuled, Alcian Blue positive substances are localised in all stages with the strongest inensity in spores. Bromo-phenol Blue positive substances are localised in all stages with the strongest inensity in spore. Bound lipids are deposited in all stages in varying degrees of concentration.