The morphometric growth of the trunk, proboscis, proboscis hooks,
lemnisci, testes, cement gland and eggs, as well as body spines nwnber of
Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae Baylis, 1947, were studied in 5 different
length classes of both sexes of the wonn_
The body width (W) increased with the increase in body length (L) of
both sexes. TIle W/L ratio revealed marked variation with age in these worms
causing the body form to change from cylindrical in juveniles to elongate bulbshaped in adults. Moreover the proboscis dimensions of juveniles and older
adults were also variable and should be excluded from being used for diagnostic
taxonomic purposes of these worms. The growth rate of the proboscis hooks
increased gradually with the body length in both small males and females, then
it became more or less stable in larger worms. This feature makes the proboscis
'hooks llseful for taxonomic purposes. The lemnisci, testes, cement gland and the
number of body spines showed continuous and noticeable growth in all the
wonn length classes. No eggs were reported in the females smaller than 5mm
long. The length and width of the worm eggs appear to be stable and so have a
reli ble taxonomic value.
The present results are presented graphically and compared with others
for some related acanthocephalan parasites