View source for Haptor

[[File:Parasite130103-fig4 Protopolystoma xenopodis (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) Adult.tif|thumb|Scanning electron microscopy of  ''Protopolystoma xenopodis'', a [[polyopisthocotylea]]n [[monogenea]]n. Haptor, Ha.<ref name="TheunissenTiedt2014">{{cite journal|last1=Theunissen|first1=Maxine|last2=Tiedt|first2=Louwrens|last3=Du Preez|first3=Louis H.|title=The morphology and attachment of ''Protopolystoma xenopodis'' (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) infecting the African clawed frog ''Xenopus laevis''|journal=Parasite|volume=21|year=2014|pages=20|issn=1776-1042|doi=10.1051/parasite/2014020|url= |pmid=24823278|pmc=4018937}} {{open access}}</ref>]]
[[File:Journal.pone.0079155.g004 Only silhouettes of bodies.svg|thumb|right|Silhouettes of bodies of [[polyopisthocotylea]]n [[monogenea]]ns. The haptor is the posterior part of the body (at the bottom of each silhouette)<ref name=Justine2013>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Justine JL, Rahmouni C, Gey D, Schoelinck C, Hoberg EP | title = The Monogenean which lost its clamps| doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0079155| journal = PLOS ONE| year = 2013| pmid = 24278118 | pmc = 3838368| volume=8| issue=11| pages=e79155| bibcode = 2013PLoSO...879155J| doi-access = free}}  {{open access}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Pseudorhabdosynochus morrhua.jpg|thumb|right|Body of a [[monopisthocotylea]]n [[monogenea]]n. The haptor is the posterior part of the body (bottom, after the slender part)]]
The '''haptor''' is the attachment organ of the [[monogenea]]ns, a group of [[parasite|parasitic]] [[Platyhelminthes]].
The haptor is sometimes called '''opisthaptor''' (from ''opistho-'': behind) to emphasize that it is located in the posterior part of the body, and to differentiate it from the '''prohaptor''' (from ''pro-'': in front), a structure including glands located at the anterior part of the body.
According to [[Satyu Yamaguti|Yamaguti]] (1963),<ref>[[Satyu Yamaguti|Yamaguti, S.]] (1963). Systema Helminthum Volume IV Monogenea and Aspidocotylea. Interscience, a division of John Wiley & Sons, New York & London. 699 pages; definition of haptor, page 3.</ref> the chief adhesive organ of the monogeneans, the haptor, is posterior, more or less discoid, muscular, may be divided into alveoli or loculi, is usually provided with anchors, has nearly always marginal larval hooklets, or is in a reduced form with anchors. The haptor may consist of symmetrical or asymmetrical, sessile or pedunculate, muscular [[sucker (zoology)|suckers]] or [[clamp (zoology)|clamp]]s with or without supporting [[sclerite]]s; accessory adhesive organs may be present in form of armed plaques, lappets or appendices.
The structure of the haptor is different in the two major groups constituting the [[Monogenea]], namely the [[Polyopisthocotylea]] and the [[Monopisthocotylea]], and is an important part of the diagnosis in both groups.
* In the Polyopisthocotylea, the haptor usually bears several clamps or suckers, and is often asymmetrical.<ref>Hayward, C. (2005). Monogenea Polyopisthocotylea (ectoparasitic flukes). In K. Rohde (Ed.), Marine Parasitology (pp. 55-63): CSIRO, Collingwood, Australia & CABI, Oxon, UK.</ref>
* In the Monopisthocotylea, the haptor comprises a single, symmetrical attachment unit, and has never haptoral clamps.<ref>Whittington, I. D. (2005). Monogenea Monopisthocotylea (ectoparasitic flukes). In K. Rohde (Ed.), Marine Parasitology (pp. 63-72): CSIRO, Collingwood, Australia & CABI, Oxon, UK.</ref> In the family [[Diplectanidae]], the haptor bears special structures (one ventral and one dorsal) called [[squamodisc]]s or [[lamellodisc]]s.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Platyhelminth anatomy]]
[[Category:Animal morphology]]
[[Category:Monogenea]]
[[Category:Monopisthocotylea]]
[[Category:Polyopisthocotylea]]