Naked cell after fracture of lorica

Description:

Portrait of the loricate euglenoid flagellate, Trachelomonas reticulata (Klebs, 1833) Synonym: T. obovata v. klebsiana (Deflandre). The lorica is egg-shaped. The collar of the flagellar pore of the lorica is flush with the surface. Spines are absent. The lorica has closely spaced rows of scrobiculations (shallow depressions) arranged in a left-hand spiral (visible on lorica fragments here). The brittle lorica is light brown due to deposition of mineral salts. There is one emergent flagellum about 3 cell lengths. T. reticulata is one of the few colorless species of this genus. A separate genus, Hyalotrachelomonas (analogous to Hyalophacus), for colorless species has been suggested but not widely accepted. The cells can be examined after the pressure of a coverslip fractures the lorica (as seen in this image). The flexible, colorless cells contain paramylon and there is a prominent red stigma. There is a single anterior contractile vacuole. The spherical nucleus is centrally located. Collected from a temporary rainwater pool with decaying grass near Boise, Idaho, March 2005. DIC.