FAST AND HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING OF TREMATODE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Current issue: Volume 24, No. 2 (2024)

FAST AND HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING OF TREMATODE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Ilze Rubenina, Ligita Mezaraupe, Inese Gavarane, Anita Sondore, Jelena Kirilova, Sergejs Osipovs, Evita Gravele, Sanita Kecko, Veronika Pavlova, Muza Kirjusina*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59893/abud.24(2).016

Rubenina I., Mezaraupe L., Gavarane I., Sondore A., Kirilova J., Osipovs S., Gravele E., Kecko S., Pavlova V., Kirjusina M. 2024. Fast and high-resolution imaging of trematode morphological characteristics. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 2024(2): 321-338.

Abstract

Trematodes are parasitic flatworms, mainly have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts, including mollusks, fish, vertebrates and occasionally invertebrates. Adult trema­todes have a big morphological diversity and examination of the morphological structures is important for species identification. Currently not all available tools for examination of parasite’s morphology used for in depth characterization of trematode structure. Here, the authors suggest benzanthrone luminophore 3-N-pyrrolidinylbenzanthrone for fast and high-resolution imaging of morphological structures using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In this study we focused on the amphibian parasite of Prosotocus genus. Many species of amphibians worldwide are facing decline and have been often associated with disease. Trematode infections of amphibians can cause numerous disorders, such as grotesque limb malformations, kidney damage and debility. Applying an efficient tech­nique for species identification and examination of morphological structures allows us to deepen understanding of co-infections, multiparasitism, host-parasite relationships, and biodiversity protection.

Keywords: Prosotocus confusus, trematode, morphological data, CLSM; benzanthrone dye.

*Corresponding author: Muza Kirjusina. Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, LV-5401, Daugavpils, Latvia. E-mail: muza.kirjusina@du.lv

Ilze Rubenina. Ligita Mezaraupe. Inese Gavarane. Jelena Kirilova. Sergejs Osipovs. Evita Gravele. Sanita Kecko. Veronika Pavlova. Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, LV-5401, Daugavpils, Latvia

Anita Sondore. Faculty of Life Sciences and Healthcare, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, LV-5401, Daugavpils, Latvia