Anthobothrium adult

These are small (2-5 cm long) tapeworms. In the scolex detail (lower photo) you can see that there are four, leaf-like bothridia. Each bothridium has a ruffled margin. Many of the reproductive organs can be seen in the mature proglottid (top photo). At the posterior of the proglottid (bottom of photo) the ovary can be seen as a dark brown H-shaped structure. Proceeding anteriorly along the midline of the proglottid is the brown uterus. On either side of the uterus are numerous large, light red-staining testes. On the lateral margins of the proglottid are thin bands of small, dark red spheres, the vitellaria. About 1/3 of the way up the left side of the proglottid is the genital pore. Between the genital pore and the anterior margin of the left lobe of the ovary is a large, bright red oval structure, the cirrus pouch. Note that the proglottids are acraspedote.