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Calyptotricha (kah-lip-toe-trike-a) pleuronemoides is an ovoid to pyriform ciliate. The ciliate forms a transparent lorica. The lorica is tube-like and has apertures at both ends. The middle the tube can have parallel sides or a central bulbous region in which the ciliate is housed. The undulating membrane of the oral aperture stretches down the right side of the body to form a pouch in the posterior body half. Extrusomes are present. There is a conspicuous caudal cilium. Contractile vacuole in posterior body region. The macronucleus is spherical with attached micronuclei. Several endosymbiotic algae are visible and the conspicuous caudal cilium. Ciliate measuring 28 microns, lorica 64 microns. This specimen was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. Differencial interference contrast.
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Portrait (ventral surface) of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Cristigera phoenix (Penard, 1922). Collected from a freshwater aquaculture pond near Boise, Idaho November 2004. DIC.
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Portrait (left side) of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). The species name has been corrected by Foissner from acanthocrypta to acanthocryptum to agree with the neuter genus name.Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane, which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell in a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Somatic ciliation uniform. There is a small unciliated âfrontal plateâ at the anterior apex. The edge of the pellicle appears slightly serrated. Numerous trichocysts present. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. The contractile vacuole is posterior subterminal. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. DIC optics.
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Calyptotricha (kah-lip-toe-trike-a) pleuronemoides is an ovoid to pyriform ciliate. The ciliate forms a transparent lorica. The lorica is tube-like and has apertures at both ends. The middle the tube can have parallel sides or a central bulbous region in which the ciliate is housed. The undulating membrane of the oral aperture stretches down the right side of the body to form a pouch in the posterior body half. Extrusomes are present. There is a conspicuous caudal cilium. Contractile vacuole in posterior body region. The macronucleus is spherical with attached micronuclei. This image taken shortly after cell division when there are two specimens in the lorica. Lorica measuring 68 microns. This specimen was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. Differential interference contrast.
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Portrait (ventral surface) of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Cristigera phoenix (Penard, 1922). Collected from a freshwater aquaculture pond near Boise, Idaho November 2004. DIC.
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Ventral infraciliature of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). The species name has been corrected by Foissner from acanthocrypta to acanthocryptum to agree with the neuter genus name.Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane (seen here), which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell on the right side of a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. The posterior end of M1 is obscured here by the densely stained macronucleus. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. M2 is obscured by the macronucleus. M3 is seen here just posterior to the macronucleus. Somatic ciliation uniform. There is a small unciliated âfrontal plateâ at the anterior apex(seen here). The edge of the pellicle appears slightly serrated. Numerous trichocysts present. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. The contractile vacuole is posterior subterminal. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. Silver carbonate stain (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330; 1991). Brightfield optics.
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Portrait of the loricate pleuronematid ciliate, Calyptotricha pleuronemoides (Phillips, 1882). The transparent lorica of this species is open at both ends and dilated in the center where the cell resides. The cell is bluntly pointed anteriorly and broadly rounded posteriorly. The peristome is about 3/4 cell length. There is a prominent undulating membrane on the right margin of the peristome curving around its posterior end to form a shallow pouch (seen well here). There are three inconspicuous adoral membranelles. The longitudinal somatic kineties are uniformly distributed. There is a preoral and postoral suture. There is a single long caudal cilium. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole. The spherical macronucleus is centrally located. C. lanuginosa is similar in appearance of the cell except that it has two long anterior apical cilia and a cylindrical lorica with parallel sides. Collected from a freshwater dredge pond near Idaho City, Idaho June 2003. DIC.
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Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Ventral infraciliature of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). The species name has been corrected by Foissner from acanthocrypta to acanthocryptum to agree with the neuter genus name.Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane (seen here), which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell on the right side of a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. The posterior end of M1 is obscured here by the densely stained macronucleus. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Both M2 and M3 are seen here just posterior to the macronucleus. Somatic ciliation uniform. There is a small unciliated âfrontal plateâ at the anterior apex. The edge of the pellicle appears slightly serrated. Numerous trichocysts present. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. The contractile vacuole is posterior subterminal. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. Silver carbonate stain (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330; 1991). DIC optics.
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Portrait of the loricate pleuronematid ciliate, Calyptotricha pleuronemoides (Phillips, 1882). The transparent lorica of this species is open at both ends and dilated in the center where the cell resides. The cell is bluntly pointed anteriorly and broadly rounded posteriorly. The peristome is about 3/4 cell length. There is a prominent undulating membrane on the right margin of the peristome curving around its posterior end to form a shallow pouch. There are three inconspicuous adoral membranelles. The longitudinal somatic kineties are uniformly distributed. There is a preoral and postoral suture. There is a single long caudal cilium. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole. The spherical macronucleus is centrally located. C. lanuginosa is similar in appearance of the cell except that it has two long anterior apical cilia and a cylindrical lorica with parallel sides. Collected from a freshwater dredge pond near Idaho City, Idaho June 2003. DIC.
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Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Portrait (left side) of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). The species name has been corrected by Foissner from acanthocrypta to acanthocryptum to agree with the neuter genus name.Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane, which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell in a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Somatic ciliation uniform. There is a small unciliated âfrontal plateâ at the anterior apex. The edge of the pellicle appears slightly serrated. Numerous trichocysts present. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. The contractile vacuole is posterior subterminal. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. DIC optics.
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Dorsal infraciliature of Calyptotricha pleuronemoides (PHILLIPS,1882). Collected from organically enriched stagnant water at the edge of a freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (Foissner,W. Europ. J. Protistol.27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Portrait (left side)of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). The species name has been corrected by Foissner from acanthocrypta to acanthocryptum to agree with the neuter genus name.Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane, which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell in a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Somatic ciliation uniform. There is a small unciliated âfrontal plateâ at the anterior apex. The edge of the pellicle appears slightly serrated. Numerous trichocysts present. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. The contractile vacuole is posterior subterminal. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. DIC optics.
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Ventral infraciliature of Calyptotricha pleuronemoides (PHILLIPS,1882). The red arrowhead marks the kinetids of the first adoral membranelle (M1). The light blue and pink arrowheads mark the kinetids of M2 and M3 respectively. the red arrowhead marks the right paraoral (undulating) membrane. The dark blue arrow head marks a dikinetid of a somatic kinety.Collected from organically enriched stagnant water at the edge of a freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (Foissner,W. Europ. J. Protistol.27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Portrait (ventral surface) of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Cristigera phoenix (Penard, 1922). Collected from a freshwater aquaculture pond near Boise, Idaho November 2004. DIC.
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Ventral infraciliature of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane (POM), which begins subapically and extends approximately two-third down the length of the cell on the right side of a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 is a longitudinal array of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. The posterior end of M1 is obscured here by the densely stained macronucleus. M2 and M3 are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Somatic ciliation uniform. Ovoid macronucleus in anterior body half. Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. Silver carbonate stain (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330; 1991). Brightfield optics.
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Ventral infraciliature of Calyptotricha pleuronemoides (PHILLIPS,1882). The red arrowhead marks the kinetids of the first adoral membranelle (M1). The light blue and pink arrowheads mark the kinetids of M2 and M3 respectively. the red arrowhead marks the right paraoral (undulating) membrane. The dark blue arrow head marks a dikinetid of a somatic kinety. the black arrowhead marks the single long caudal cilium. The yellow arrowhead marks the excretory pore of the contractile vacuole.Collected from organically enriched stagnant water at the edge of a freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (Foissner,W. Europ. J. Protistol.27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Oral infraciliature of the pleuronematine scuticociliate, Ctedoctema acanthocryptum (Stokes, 1884). Small elongate to oval ciliate that is slightly dorsoventrally compressed. There is a prominent paraoral membrane (green arrowhead) which begins subapically and extends approximately two-thirds down the length of the cell on the right side of a shallow groove. The cytostome is at the posterior end of this groove. There is a three part adoral zone of membranelles on the left of the peristome. M1 (yellow arrowhead) is a longitudinal file of dikinetids from the sub-apical pole to about midway down the cell. M2 (pink arrowhead) and M3 (light blue arrowhead) are small, oblique patches of kinetids posterior to M1. Somatic ciliation uniform (not seen in this preparation). The dark blue arrowhead marks the single long caudal cilium.Collected from freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho October 2004. Silver carbonate stain (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330; 1991). Brightfield optics.
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Histiobalantium is easy to distinguish from the similar genus Pleuronema by the stiff long cilia which intersperse the dense somatic ciliation because Histiobalantium have cilia distributed over the whole cell whereas at Pleuronema this cilia are confined to the posterior region. The body of Histiobalantium natans is elliptical, with the right side slightly concave and anterior end a little narrower than the posterior. The peristome is deep, equipped with a well-developed undulating membrane. Several micronuclei are attached to the two round macronuclei. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior half of the body. 55 - 105 microns. From fresh water ponds and lakes. This free-swimming specimen of Histiobalantium natans was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior. 95 microns. Differential interference contrast.
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Histiobalantium is easy to distinguish from the similar genus Pleuronema by the stiff long cilia which intersperse the dense somatic ciliation because Histiobalantium have cilia distributed over the whole cell whereas at Pleuronema this cilia are confined to the posterior region. The body of Histiobalantium natans is elliptical, with the right side slightly concave and anterior end a little narrower than the posterior. The peristome is deep, equipped with a well-developed undulating membrane. Several micronuclei are attached to the two round macronuclei. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior half of the body. 55 - 105 microns. From fresh water ponds and lakes. This specimen of Histiobalantium natans shows the stiff long cilia around the cell. 95 (m. From freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. Differential interference contrast.
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Histiobalantium is easy to distinguish from the similar genus Pleuronema by the stiff long cilia which intersperse the dense somatic ciliation because Histiobalantium have cilia distributed over the whole cell whereas at Pleuronema this cilia are confined to the posterior region. The body of Histiobalantium natans is elliptical, with the right side slightly concave and anterior end a little narrower than the posterior. The peristome is deep, equipped with a well-developed undulating membrane. Several micronuclei are attached to the two round macronuclei. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior half of the body. 55 - 105 microns. From fresh water ponds and lakes. Well-fed specimen of Histiobalantium natans from a freshwater pond near Konstanz, Germany. 88 m. icrons Differential interference contrast.
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Histiobalantium is easy to distinguish from the similar genus Pleuronema by the stiff long cilia which intersperse the dense somatic ciliation because Histiobalantium have cilia distributed over the whole cell whereas at Pleuronema this cilia are confined to the posterior region. The body of Histiobalantium natans is elliptical, with the right side slightly concave and anterior end a little narrower than the posterior. The peristome is deep, equipped with a well-developed undulating membrane. Several micronuclei are attached to the two round macronuclei. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior half of the body. 55 - 105 microns. From fresh water ponds and lakes. Well-fed specimen of Histiobalantium natans from a freshwater pond near Konstanz, Germany. 88 microns. Differential interference contrast.