Copepods of the genus Achtheinus Wilson, 1908 (Pandaridae) are parasites of elasmobranchs that attach to their fins, gill slits and around the nostrils. Specimens of Achtheinus pinguis Wilson, 1912 were collected and examined using histology and scanning electron microscopy to determine their way of attachment to the host and the possible effect on the host. They insert their antennae deep into the dermis of the shark's skin, which causes the most damage due to possible tissue compression and/or fibrosis as well as rupture of the connective tissue. Additionally, the presence of the copepod on the skin causes cell erosion of the epidermal cells and thus reduces the number of epidermal layers. The maxillipeds are used to attach to the placoid scales that cover the shark's skin and probably serve to keep the copepod and inserted antennae in position. This is accomplished by the insertion of the placoid scales into the flaccid corpus of the maxillipeds. Observed damage seems to be negligible to the shark apart from the possibility of secondary infection.

• Klíčová slova
• plakoidní šupiny, maxillipeds,
• MeSH
• branchiální krajina parazitologie   MeSH
• Copepoda * anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• Elasmobranchii * anatomie a histologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• histologické techniky MeSH
• kůže patologie   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• ploutve zvířat anatomie a histologie   parazitologie   patologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• tkáně patologie   MeSH
• tykadla členovců anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• zvířecí šupiny anatomie a histologie   parazitologie   patologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH