Colpodida

Infraciliature (posterior view, dorsal at top) of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950. Cell size is highly variable (length 25-110 mm). The cells are mushroom or champagne cork-shaped. The conical anterior end is termed the calyx and the truncate cylindrical posterior part the uvula. There is a definite horseshoe-shaped sulcus oriented perpendicular to the long axis between the calyx and uvula. The infraciliature is complex, twisting around the calyx and running posteriorly down onto the uvula (as seen here). There is a semicircular array of longer terminal cilia along the posterior margin of the uvula (their kinetids are seen here). Some descriptions (e.g. Curds, C.R. British and Other Freshwater Ciliated Protozoa. Part I, p.182. Cambridge, Bath 1982.) erroneously describe the uvula as being anterior. This is probably due to the organism's habit of residing in its dwelling tube or lorica anterior end innermost leaving the uvula protruding. Interestingly, cells turn around in the dwelling tube in order to exit front end first. The cytostome is located in the sulcus between calyx and uvula. It is flanked on it right and left by dense polykinetids (seen to the viewer's left at 8 o'clock position here). The location of the large spherical macronucleus and single adjacent micronucleus is variable. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior uvula. Many refractile yellow crystals are found in the cytoplasm. These impart a blackish color to the cells in vivo under low magnification. The tubular organic test is attached to the substrate and may be nearly 1000 μ long. The cell flees the test at the slightest disturbance so most cells are found swimming freely when examined under a coverslip. Maryna ovata feeds on bacteria and algae. This specimen stained with silver carbonate (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27,313-330;1991). Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2004. Brightfield optics.

Right lateral view of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002. Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids.The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The lekt polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.DIC.

Villoslada de Cameros, La Rioja, Spain

Infraciliature (left ventrolateral view) of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950 (left ventrolateral view. LPK=left oral polykinetid.RPK=right oral polykinetid.The contractile vacuole pore (CVP) is located at the end of the uvula.This specimen stained with Protargol (Wilbert modification) (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27,313-330;1991). Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2008. Brightfield.

Right lateral view of the colpodid ciliate Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids (the paired cilia are seen well to viewer's right here).The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The left oral polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.In this specimen the macronucleus has extruded posteriorly during fixation.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).DIC.

Infraciliature (dorsolateral view) of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950. Cell size is highly variable (length 25-110 mm). The cells are mushroom or champagne cork-shaped. The conical anterior end is termed the calyx and the truncate cylindrical posterior part the uvula. There is a definite horseshoe-shaped sulcus oriented perpendicular to the long axis between the calyx and uvula. The infraciliature is complex, twisting around the calyx and running posteriorly down onto the uvula (as seen here). Doubly ciliated dikinetids are seen here over the anterior calyx. There is a semicircular array of longer terminal cilia along the posterior margin of the uvula. Some descriptions (e.g. Curds, C.R. British and Other Freshwater Ciliated Protozoa. Part I, p.182. Cambridge, Bath 1982.) erroneously describe the uvula as being anterior. This is probably due to the organism's habit of residing in its dwelling tube or lorica anterior end innermost leaving the uvula protruding. Interestingly, cells turn around in the dwelling tube in order to exit front end first. The cytostome is located in the sulcus between calyx and uvula. It is flanked on it right and left by dense polykinetids (not seen in this view). The location of the large spherical macronucleus and single adjacent micronucleus is variable. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior uvula. Many refractile yellow crystals are found in the cytoplasm. These impart a blackish color to the cells in vivo under low magnification. The tubular organic test is attached to the substrate and may be nearly 1000 μ long. The cell flees the test at the slightest disturbance so most cells are found swimming freely when examined under a coverslip. Maryna ovata feeds on bacteria and algae. This specimen stained with silver carbonate (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27,313-330;1991). Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2004. Brightfield optics.

Right lateral view of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002. Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids.The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The lekt polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Phase contrast.

Portrait (right lateral view) of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950 that has fled its organic test or dwelling tube. This cell is slightly squashed beneath the coverslip. Cell size is highly variable (length 25-110 mm). The cells are mushroom or champagne cork-shaped. The large conical anterior end is termed the calyx and the smaller truncate cylindrical posterior part the uvula. There is a definite horseshoe-shaped sulcus oriented perpendicular to the long axis between the calyx and uvula. The infraciliature is complex, twisting around the calyx and running posteriorly down onto the uvula. There is a semicircular array of longer terminal cilia along the posterior margin of the uvula (seen here). Some descriptions (e.g. Curds, C.R. British and Other Freshwater Ciliated Protozoa. Part I, p.182. Cambridge, Bath 1982.) erroneously describe the uvula as being anterior. This is probably due to the organism's habit of residing in its dwelling tube or lorica anterior end innermost leaving the uvula protruding. Interestingly, cells turn around in the dwelling tube in order to exit front end first. The cytostome is located in the sulcus between calyx and uvula (seen here to viewer's right). It is flanked on it right and left by dense polykinetids. The location of the large spherical macronucleus and single adjacent micronucleus is variable. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior uvula (just visible here). Many refractile yellow crystals are found in the cytoplasm (seen here in the posterior calyx). These impart a blackish color to the cells under low brightfield magnification. The tubular organic test is attached to the substrate and may be nearly 1000 μ long. The cell flees the test at the slightest disturbance so most cells are found swimming freely when examined under a coverslip as seen here. Maryna ovata feeds on algae and bacteria. Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2004. DIC optics.

Ventral view of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids (the paired cilia are seen well to viewer's right here).The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The left oral polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.In this specimen the macronucleus has extruded posteriorly during fixation.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Portrait of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950. Cell size is highly variable (length 25-110 mm). The cells are mushroom or champagne cork-shaped. The conical anterior end is termed the calyx and the truncate cylindrical posterior part the uvula. There is a definite horseshoe-shaped sulcus oriented perpendicular to the long axis between the calyx and uvula. The infraciliature is complex, twisting around the calyx and running posteriorly down onto the uvula. There is a semicircular array of longer terminal cilia along the posterior margin of the uvula. Some descriptions (e.g. Curds, C.R. British and Other Freshwater Ciliated Protozoa. Part I, p.182. Cambridge, Bath 1982.) erroneously describe the uvula as being anterior. This is probably due to the organism’s habit of residing in its dwelling tube or lorica anterior end innermost leaving the calyx protruding (seen here). Interestingly, cells turn around in the dwelling tube in order to exit front end first. The cytostome is located in the sulcus between calyx and uvula. It is flanked on it right and left by dense polykinetids. The location of the large spherical macronucleus and single adjacent micronucleus is variable. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior uvula (just visible here). Many refractile yellow crystals are found in the cytoplasm. These impart a blackish color to the cells under low magnification (seen here). The tubular organic test is attached to the substrate and may be nearly 1000 mm long. The cell flees the test at the slightest disturbance so most cells are found swimming freely when examined under a coverslip. This specimen was photographed without a coverslip resulting in some degradation of the image. Maryna ovata feeds on bacteria and algae. Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2004. Brightfield optics.

Ventral view of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warrented its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids (the paired cilia are seen well to viewer's right here).The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The left oral polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.In this specimen the macronucleus has extruded posteriorly during fixation.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Infraciliature (right dorsolateral view) of the colpodid ciliate, Maryna ovata GELEI, 1950 (left ventrolateral view. LPK=left oral polykinetid.RPK=right oral polykinetid.The contractile vacuole pore (CVP) is located at the end of the uvula.This specimen stained with Protargol (Wilbert modification) (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27,313-330;1991). Collected from a eutrophic pond near Boise, Idaho August 2008. Brightfield.

Ventral view of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids (the paired cilia are seen well to viewer's right here).The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The left oral polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.In this specimen the macronucleus has extruded posteriorly during fixation.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Colpoda (col-poe-da) is arguably the most common of all soil ciliates. Comma-shaped, flattened, cilia all over body. Cilia usually in pairs. Depression of body leads to the mouth region where there are lines of oral cilia. these cilia may clump together and are longer than the cilia of the rest of the body - as this micrograph illustrates. Usually eats bacteria. Can form cysts which resist drying up. Phase contrast.

Dorsal infraciliature of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The anterior of the cell is cone-shaped and the posterior globular.The small cytostome is in the anterior 1/4 of the cell.There are 25-35 somatic kineties composed of doubly ciliated dikinetids (the paired cilia are seen well to viewer's right here).The right somatic kineties spiral slightly on the long axis to end on the short preoral suture. The left kineties curve more strongly to perpendicularly abut the suture.There are two oral poykinetids. The left oral polykinetid has a unique angulated shape like a boomerang.The macronucleus is spherical.The nucleolus is ribbon-like.In this specimen the macronucleus has extruded posteriorly during fixation.There is a single posterior contractile vacuole with a solitary excretory pore.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from an ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Colpoda (col-poe-da) is arguably the most common of all soil ciliates. Comma-shaped, flattened, cilia all over body. Cilia usually in pairs. Depression of body leads to the mouth region where there are lines of oral cilia - seen in this micrograph a little way 2 o clock from the centre of the cell. Usually eats bacteria. Can form cysts which resist drying up. Phase contrast.

Dorsal silverline system of of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002. Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The silverline system is of the "cucullus" type.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from aan ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Stained by the dry silver nitrate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Resting cyst of the colpodid ciliate, Exocolpoda augustini (Foissner, 1987) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002. Foissner erected the family Exocolpodidae based on the life cycle of its members, namely, cell division in free-swimming individuals instead of reproduction in division cysts as seen in the Colpodidae. He felt this life cycle characteristic,the unique boomerang-shaped left oral polykinetid and the unique thick-walled resting cyst of this species warranted its transfer to the new genus, Exocolpoda. The cyst is of the "cucullus" type the wall of which consists of closely spaced membranes.The cyst wall is further differentiated into a thin meso- and endocyst layer and the much thicker ectocyst layer. Dark granular material is scattered between the membranes of the ectocyst. Foissner believes the thick walled cyst may be an adaptation to the desert and semi-desert habitats where this species is most often found.Collected near Boise, Idaho (43°38'21.10"N 116°11'10.78"W elev. 2908 ft.) from aan ice-covered temporary puddle containing leaf litter and dead grass.November, 2005.Phase contrast.

Colpoda, a common soil ciliate. There are many species. Tillina is now considered synonymous with Colpoda. This species is large, reniform and slightly flattened with uniform ciliation. A distinct, fairly wide groove (not seen in this view) runs obliquely and inferiorly to the left from the oral apparatus. Prominent extrusomes are present. The contractile vacuole is posterior with many thin anteriorly radiating collecting canals (not seen in this image). Macronucleus is ellipsoid. Many food vacuoles can be seen in this image. Mainly bactivorous. Forms both reproductive and resting cysts. Cysts have remained viable after desiccation for up to 10 years. Right lateral view. From temporary rainwater pool in grass field near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.

Posterior oblique view of moderately squashed specimen of Maryna umbrellata (Gelei,1950) Foissner, 1993. The yellow arrowheads mark the diagonal groove between anterior calix and the short, broad posterior uvula. The green arrowhead marks the oral aperture. Multiple collecting vesicles of the contractile vacuole system are seen in this image. Collected from an ephemeral puddle on a flood irrigated lawn in Boise, Idaho. July 2007.DIC.

Single Colpoda cell, isolated from a soil sample in W. England.

Right ventrolateral view of moderately squashed specimen of Maryna umbrellata (Gelei,1950) Foissner, 1993. The green asterisks mark the anterior preoral suture between right and left somatic kineties.The blue and red arrowheads mark the right and left oral polykinetids respectively.Collected from an ephemeral puddle on a flood irrigated lawn in Boise, Idaho. July 2007.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.

Dikinetids (see Lynn, Biol. Rev. 56:243-292, 1981, for discussion of kinetids in ciliates) are set in a shallow basin in the cell surface that has a fairly sharp rim at its margin. The basal bodies have a proximal cartwheel and a dense septum (not found in most bbs) just distal to this cartwheel. The terminal plate separates the basal body from the cilium that arises from the distal end of the basal body. EM taken on 5/31/69 by R. Allen with Philips 300 TEM. Neg. 14,800X. Bar = 0.5 micron. This image is available in Richard Allen's collection.