The structure and possible function of the ventral papillae of Notocotylus attenuatus (Rudolphi, 1809) Kossack, 1911, (Trematoda: Notocotylidae).

Specimens of Notocotylus attenuatus were examined in life and their ventral papillae studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the papillae are non-secretory, very mobile and similar in ultrastructure to the papillae of other notocotylids previously described. Worms were removed from the host's caecum and the caecum surface examined where it had been in contact with the papillae; this revealed that the crypts in this region had been distorted and enlarged. It is suggested that the papillae serve to attach the worms to the distinct surface of the distal caecum by acting as hydraulically operated anchors working in conjunction with the lateral margins of the worm and allowing the oral sucker of this monostome fluke to be used for feeding.