Oligotrichida

Fig 1a Line drawing: Protargol stained cell, showing kineties, oral structures and nucleus as well as macronuclear variability

Fig 15 Line drawing, live specimen

Fig 2: Lugol?s fixed cells: ventral view of normal specimens

Fig 3: Lugol?s fixed cells: ventral view of normal specimens

Species in this genus of oligotrichs retain chloroplasts in the algae they eat and profit from the photosynthesis of the 'stolen' chloroplasts. The tail is contractile and can stretch out hundreds of microns. The ciliate bounces around as if on a pogo stick

Fig 4: Lugol?s fixed cells: stressed form, lateral view, resembling S. acuminatum

Fig 6 SEM of Lugol?s fixed cell, right lateral view, shows the extrusion of trichites (Tr) and the array (A), where many trichites are located below the surface.

Fig 7 Details of the oral region, showing the cilia of the girdle kinety and the hexagonally patterned array of the trichites (A).

Fig 1: Strombidium epidemum Line drawing of protargol stained cell, lateral view, showing girdle kinety, oral structures and nucleus

Fig 2: Strombidium epidemum Lugol?s fixed cells

Foissneridium constrictum (probably according to Sabine Agatha). Species orginally described as Conocylis constricta by Meunier (inset) from the Barents Sea. Specimens shown from the Chukchi Sea (Arctic). Left panel shows ventral side, right panel the dorsal side.

Fig 3: Strombidium epidemum Lugol?s fixed cells

Fig 4: Strombidium epidemum Lugol?s fixed and DAPI stained cell, illustrating nuclear shape

Fauré-Fremiet's drawing from his 1914 description of the most bizarre oligotrich ever - Tontonia appendiculiformis - a mixotroph (eats phytoplankton and keeps the chloroplasts) with a pogo stick bouncing tail (hops around in the water).

Fig 6: Strombidium epidemum Protargol stain, lateral view

Fig 7: Strombidium epidemum Protargol stain, lateral view

Fig 9: Strombidium epidemum Protargol stained cells, lateral view

Fig 10: Strombidium epidemum Protargol stained cells, lateral view

Fig 1: Strombidium lynni Line drawings of protargol stained cells, showing kineties, oral structures and nuclei

Fig 2: Strombidium lynni Lugol?s fixed cell, lateral view

Fig 6: Strombidium lynni Protargol stain, ventral view, showing characteristic features

Fig 7: Strombidium lynni Protargol stain, ventral view

Fig 1 Line drawing of protargol stained cell, lateral view, showing girdle kinety, oral structures and nucleus.

Fig 6: Protargol stains, lateral view