Oral aperture and ventral proboscis

Description:

Detail of the oral aperture and ventral proboscis of Monilicaryon monilatus Monilicaryon monilatus (Stokes, 1886) Jankowski, 1967. Similar in overall appearance to Dileptus anser. M. monilatus differs by having a shorter proboscis relative to the length of the body (1/3 to 1/4) and by lacking the row of obliquely oriented closely spaced kinetids on the ventral aspect of the left side of the proboscis (this feature requires demonstration by DIC or protargol staining). M. monilatus has two single files of kinetids extending from either side of the oral aperture anteriorly along the ventral aspect of the proboscis (See Foissner W., Berger H and Kohmann F. Taxonomische und ökologische Revision der Ciliaten des Saprobiensystems- Band IV: Gymnostomatea, Loxodes, Suctoria. Informationsberichte Bayer. Landesamtes für Wasserwirtschaft. 1/95:185-202, 1995). In this image the area between these kineties appears more refractile due to the presence of extrusomes. Collected from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC.