Silver staining for elucidation of the synlophe in trichostrongyle nematodes.

Staining techniques are relatively rare in the study of parasitic nematodes. A novel silver-staining method is described for elucidation of the synlophe (a system of longitudinal cuticular ridges), a character of great systematic importance among the trichostrongyloid nematodes. Ridges are stained optically black and appear in great contrast to the body of the nematode. This method augments current use of interference contrast for examination of the synlophe. Detailed studies of the configuration of the synlophe in entire specimens are possible with standard light microscopy for the first time.