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1 October 2011 Localization of Photoreceptors in the Cercariae of Proterometra macrostoma (Trematoda: Azygiidae)
Marc Rowley, Kathryn Massana, Abigail Wier
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Abstract

The swimming behavior of the cercaria of the digenetic trematode Proterometra macrostoma changes in response to light. However, this cercaria does not possess obvious eyes or eyespots. Using behavioral assays, we were able to show that both intact and distome-removed cercariae swim significantly greater vertical distances under dim, red light than under brighter, white light. Electrophysiological experiments confirmed this result and further showed that the transverse band of the tail, known to control cercariae swimming behavior, was necessary and sufficient for the display of the light-dependent swimming behavior. Together, these data show that the distome is not required for light-dependent swimming behavior in P. macrostoma cercariae and indirectly demonstrates the presence of photoreceptors in the transverse band of the cercaria tail.

American Society of Parasitologists
Marc Rowley, Kathryn Massana, and Abigail Wier "Localization of Photoreceptors in the Cercariae of Proterometra macrostoma (Trematoda: Azygiidae)," Journal of Parasitology 97(5), 805-808, (1 October 2011). https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-2768.1
Received: 31 January 2011; Accepted: 1 April 2011; Published: 1 October 2011
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