Ultrastructure of the body wall of female Philometra obturans (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea).

The somatic cuticle of adult female Philometra obturans (Prenant, 1886) (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea) consists of five zones and an overlying prominent fuzzy epicuticle, closely adherent to the gill arterial wall of the host. The cuticle is fenestrated and infiltrated with electron-dense substances. It protrudes into the hypodermis in the form of numerous protuberances. The plasma membrane of the hypodermis forms prominent infoldings within the subcuticular region. Numerous endosomes bud off from the cuticle into the hypodermis. Glycogen deposits are present within the hypodermis and muscle cells. The muscle cells are well developed, polymyarian in number (up to 30 in each quadrant) and coelomyarian in shape. The body wall of adult female P. obturans reveals several ultrastructural features which are common to the members of Filarioidea.