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Ultrastructure of microtriches in Stilesia globipunctata71can be seen in the immature proglottid region (Fig.2d). Whereas in the mature proglottid region, papillalikeand filament-like microtriches are predominantlyseen (Fig. 3a). The microtriches appear to be non-uniform in density and size. A decreased microtrichialdensity down the length of strobila and morphologicalchanges in the tegumental surface of the gravidsegments can be clearly observed (Fig. 3b). Thispicture clearly reveals the stages of disintegration ofmicrotriches. Such changes involve surfacesculpturing accompanied by loss of all microtrichesand erosion of folds in the posterior region of theparasite (Fig. 3c). The disintegrated microtriches canalso be seen in Fig. 3d.TEM observations: In addition to the light and SEMfindings, ultrastructural observations were made byTEM. The TEM picture of scolex (Fig. 2a-c) shows thepresence of papilla-like, spine-like and blade-likemicrotriches. The microtriches may be divided intothree anatomical regions (Fig. 2b) viz. 1)microfilament containing a base, 2) a dense cap and 3)a complex junctional region between the base and cap.Each base is found to contain an inner sleeve of densematerial, the core tunic. Distally, the core is foundconnected individually to slightly curved tubule, thejunctional tubule.As observed in SEM pictures, posteriorly directedfilament-like, spine-like and papilla-like microtrichesCpCrBJrCpJrSplGxBCtSplGx(a)(b)BmMtMtGxSpl(c)(d)Fig. 2. Transmission electron micrographs of tegument brush border of scolex and immature regions of S. globipunctata.a. T.S. of the tegument showing different kinds of microtriches (x45,000).b. Higher magnification of architecture of blade like mictothrix (x1,000,000).c. L.S. of the margin of suckers showing microtriches (x7000).d. Brush border of tegumental folds of immature region showing different types of microtriches (x20,000).B - Base, Bm - basement membrance, Cp - cap, Ct - core tunic, Gx- glycocalyx, Jr - junctional region, Mt - microtriches, spl - subplasmalemmal layer.