4. Morphology of cestodes other than what is in the manual. a. Taenia saginata & Taenia solium Size: 35 mm.

. Range, 31-43 mm. Shape: Spherical with thick striated shell. Color: Walnut brown. Stage of Development When Passed: Embryonated. 6-hooked oncosphere present inside a thick shell. Specific Features and Variations: Thick, striated shell. Eggs of T. solium and T. saginata are indistinguishable and species identification should be made from proglottids or scoleces. "Taenia" spp. should be reported if only eggs are found. b. Hymenolepis nana Size: 47 mm x 37 mm. Range, 40-60 mm x 30-50 mm. Shape: Oval. Shell consists of 2 distinct membranes. On inner membrane are two small "knobs" or poles from which 4 to 8 filaments arise and spread out between the two membranes. Color: Colorless, almost transparent. Stage of Development When Passed: Embryonated. 6-hooked oncosphere inside shell. Specific Features and Variations: Polar filaments. c. Hymenolepis diminuta Size: 72 mm. Range, 70-86 mm x 60-80 mm. Shape: Round or slightly oval. Striated outer membrane and thin inner membrane with slight poles. Space between membranes may appear smooth or faintly granular. Color: Yellow. Stage of Development When Passed: Embryonated. 6-hooked oncosphere inside shell. Specific Features and Variations: Resembles H. nana but lacks polar filaments. Poles are rudimentary and often hard to see. d. Dipylidium caninum Size: 35-40 mm. Range, 31-50 mm x 27-48 mm. Shape: Spherical or oval. 5-15 eggs (or more) are enclosed in a sac or capsule. Color: Colorless. Stage of Development When Passed: Embryonated. 6-hooked oncosphere inside shell. Specific Features and Variations: Eggs are contained in a sac or capsule which ranges in size from 58 mm to 60 mm x 170 mm. Occasionally capsules are ruptured and eggs are free. e. Diphyllobothrium latum Size: 66 mm x 44 mm. Range, 58-76 mm x 40-51 mm. Shape: Oval or ellipsoidal with an inconspicuous operculum at one end and a small "knob" at the other end.

Color: Yellow to brown. Stage of Development When Passed: Unembryonated. Germinal cell is surrounded by a mass of yolk cells which completely fills inner area of shell. Germinal cell is usually not visible. Specific Features and Variations: Egg resembles hookworm egg but has a thicker shell and an operculum.

Reference: http://www.phsource.us/PH/PARA/Chapter_4.htm