Cryptocaryon irritans Brown, 1951 (Ichthyophthiriidae): the ultrastructure of the somatic cortex throughout the life cycle

Abstract. Cryptocaryon irritans was isolated from Grammistes sexlineatus and maintained in aquaria under controlled conditions using the mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso), as an experimental host. The pellicle and cortical cytoplasm of the trophont, tomont, tomite and theront stages were investigated with the aid of transmission electron microscopy. The general structural organization of the pellicle resembles that of the freshwater holotrich, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis ; however, the pellicular alveoli are characterized by the accumulation of electron-dense material in the trophont, tomite and theront, this material being lost in the newly-encysted tomont. The outer membranes of the pellicle are infolded into the alveoli of the trophont. Cilia are present at all stages of the life cycle, although at encystment their numbers are greatly reduced by shedding. Mitochondria, mucocysts and Golgi-like cisternae are distributed throughout the cortical cytoplasm. Mucocysts differ from those of I. multifiliis in size, shape and distribution and are of uniform electron density. The role of the pellicle and cortical cytoplasm is discussed in relation to the invasion of the fish epidermis, possible intertransferance of materials between parasite and host and the process of encystment.