Cyrtolophosididae

Cyrtolophosis (sir-till-owe-foe-sis) ciliate usually located in a flimsy mucus sheath, recessed mouth with small arc of projecting cilia. Eats bacteria. Phase contrast.

Cyrtolophosis (sir-till-owe-foe-sis) ciliate usually located in a flimsy mucus sheath, recessed mouth with small arc of projecting cilia. Eats bacteria. Phase contrast.

Cyrtolophosis (sir-toe-low-foe-sis), usually found in mucus sheaths, with only the anterior end projecting. Typically with a quiff of anterior cilia, and the mouth located just subapically. Cysts also form. Phase contrast micrograph.

Cyrtolophosis (sir-toe-low-foe-sis), usually found in mucus sheaths, with only the anterior end projecting. Typically with a quiff of anterior cilia, and the mouth located just subapically. Cysts also form. Phase contrast micrograph.

This is a ciliate which consumesbacteria, the mouth being located to the upper right of this cell. Usually found in a mucus tube. From Lake Donghu, China. Differential interference contrast micrograph.

Cyrtolophosis, a colorless colpodid ciliate most often found in a mucous sheath (seen in this image) possibly secreted by mucocysts. Cells often flee the mucous sheath and swim free when transferred to a microscope slide. There is a characteristic prominent anterior ciliary tuft and well developed 'adoral ciliary organelles" (similar in appearance to an undulating membrane) along the left margin of the buccal cavity (both are seen in this image). From temporary rainwater pool in grass field near Boise, Idaho. Oblique illumination

Portrait of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (Stokes,1885). An individual is seen here just fleeing its mucus dwelling tube (to viewer's left of organism). The tube is apparently formed from the contents of mucocysts.Collected from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. July 2005.Phase contrast.

Ventral infraciliature of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (Stokes,1885). The paraoral membrane is seen to the viewer's right and the adoral membranelles to the left.A short "oblique kinety" is present between the anterior end of the paraoral membrane and the most anterior adoral membranelle. The sparse (~10) slightly spiralled somatic kineties are visible.Collected from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho.June 2005). Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Brightfield.

Dorsal infraciliature of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (Stokes, 1885).The sparse (~10) slightly spiralled somatic kineties are seen here.Collected from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho.June 2005). Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Brightfield.

Ventral infraciliature of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (Stokes,1885)in middle division. The paraoral membrane is seen to the viewer's right and the adoral membranelles to the left.A very short "oblique kinety" is present between the anterior end of the paraoral membrane and the most anterior adoral membranelle. The sparse (~10) slightly spiralled somatic kineties are visible.The oral apparatus of the forming posterior daughter cell (opisthe) is obscured by its densley stained macronucleus. Collected from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho.June 2005). Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Brightfield.

Cyrtolophosis mucicola STOKES,1885. The yellow arrowhead indicates the anterior tuft of elongated cilia. DIC.

Cyrtolophosis mucicola STOKES,1885. The yellow arrowhead indicates the anterior tuft of elongated cilia. DIC.

Infraciliature (right ventrolateral view) of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (STOKES,1885). Stained by the silver carbonate technique (Foissner,W. Europ. J. Protistol.27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Infraciliature (right ventrolateral view) of Cyrtolophosis mucicola (STOKES,1885). The red arrowhead indicates athe short oblique kinety located anterior to the 1st of the 4 adoral membranelles (blue arrowhead).The right paroral membrane is indicated by the yellow arrowhead. The elongated anterior tuft of cilia (green arrowhead) arise from the anterior part of the right paraoral membrane. Stained by the silver carbonate technique (Foissner,W. Europ. J. Protistol.27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Described by Schewiakoff under the name Bantiophorus minutus nov. gen. et spec., 1889.  Key to abbreviations:  a -- Anus cv -- Contractile vacuole ek -- Ectoplasm  l.Pr -- Left edge of peristome m -- Undulating membrane N -- Macronucleus ncl -- Micronucleus r.Pr -- Right edge of peristome nk -- Food particle 

Described by Schewiakoff under the name Balantiophorus minutus nov. gen. et spec., 1889.   Right side view.  Key to abbreviations:  a -- Anus cv -- Contractile vacuole m -- Undulating membrane l.Pr -- Left edge of Peristome N -- Macronucleus ncl -- Micronucleus r.Pr -- Right edge of peristome ncl --