portrait

Description:

Loxophyllum (locks-o-file-um) a predatory ciliate. It is flattened, and glides along the substrate, exploring detritus with the anterior convex margin - which is where the mouth is located. There are extrusomes just internal to the margin of the cell, and also in some species prominences along the margins of the cell - not well developed in this cell. The extrusomes can be discharged to kill potential prey - usually other ciliates. Common. Differential interference contrast.