Wax esters in the cystacanths ofPolymorphus minutus (Acanthocephala)

Abstract

The lipids of the cystacanth of the acanthocephalanPolymorphus minutus have been analyzed. Wax esters constituted nearly 90% of the total cystacanth lipids. The wax ester fraction contained approximately 10% steroid ester; the rest was long chain alcohols C12 to C20, largely saturated, esterified with fatty acids C12 to C22, mostly unsaturated, with C18 predominating. Corresponding quantities of wax esters were not found in the adult parasite. Cholesterol was identified as the only steroid present in the cystacanth.