The gastrodermis of Atriaster heterodus Lebedev & Paruchin, 1969
(Polyopisthocotylea), a gill parasite from Diplodus argenteus
(Valenciennes, 1830), is composed of "U"-shape hematin cells and a
connecting syncytium, both having cytoplasmic lamellae. These cells show
outgrowths and bent folds which were seen to enclose lumen material. The
trapped material was then subjected to endocytosis. The nature of ingested
food material was comparatively analyzed by cytochemical and histochemical
tests. Blood residues were detected in the gut but tests for mucins were
negative. No intact erythrocytes were observed in the gut lumen.
