Parasitic adaptation in Taenia

The parasitic adaptations in Taenia have taken place along:

1. Degeneration or loss of organs

2. Attainment of new organs.

1. Degeneration:

In Taenia the locomotory and digestive organs are mainly degenerated.

(a) Locomotory organs: As the parasite live for its entire life in the body of other, the locomotory organs are quite unnecessary and lost.

(b) Digestive organs: As the parasite live on digested or semi digested food of the host, there is reduction in its digestive organs and glands. The food is directly absorbed through the general surface of the body.

(c) Sensory organs: Due to sedentary life in a sheltered habitat, the complicated sensory structures are absent.

2. Attainment of new organs:

Structures helpful in food absorption, protection, attachment and reproduction are attained.

(a) Cuticle: The outer integument or cuticle of Taenia is highly developed and is adapted as to resist against the digestive juice, passage of food and for adhesion.

(b) Musculature: The well developed musculature in tape worm enables them to distribute their elongated snake-like bodies throughout the length of the intestine of the host.

(c) Organs for attachment: Taenia bear scolex bears suckers and hooks near the cephalic end for attachment.

(d) Vast reproduction: There is a vast increase in the reproductive capabilities through greater egg production. The body of Taenia consists of a large number of segment or proglottids, each containing a single or double set of reproductive organs.