Comparing the Ultrastructural Morphology of Raillietina tetragona and Raillietina echinobothrida in Local Hens at Sidoarjo Regency with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Background: Raillietina spp. is one of the cestodes class worms that attacks poultry. The Raillietina species that commonly attack poultry are Raillietina echinobothrida and R. tetragona. In general, R. echinobothrida and R. tetragona are usually identified using a light microscope, but in reality these two species are still difficult to differentiate using a light microscope because the size difference is too small and they have many differences. This study compared the ultrastructural morphology of R. echinobothrida and R. tetragona, which caused minor intestinal infections in native Gallus domesticus chickens that were purchased from different traditional markets in Sidoarjo Regency. Methods: A total 57 small intestines from native chickens (Gallus domesticus) that were sold at Tulangan, Larangan, Wonoayu, Krian and Suko Markets served as the samples for this study. Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the samples were inspected both macroscopic and microscopically. Result: With a prevalence of 57.89%, the results indicated that R. echinobothrida has a yellowish string-like body that is 16-23 cm long. It also has a round sucker and scolex that are both 0.07 ´ 0.08-0.08 ´ 0.09 mm in size, a rostellum that is armed with hooks that is 0.06 ´ 0.07-0.08 ´ 0.1 mm in size and an unsegmented, thick and short neck. The yellowish string-like body of R. tetragona, on the other hand, measures 20-28 cm in length. It has an oval scolex (0.16-0.2 mm in diameter), an oval sucker (0.04 ´ 0.09-0.05 ´ 0.01 mm in size), a rostellum armed with hooks that measures 0.03 ´ 0.05-0.04 ´ 0.06 mm and an unsegmented, thin, and long neck. Both R. echinobothrida and R. tetragona have a velvety, silky texture on their surface bodies.