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Collected by ATOL magnificent protist hunters at Cedar Swamp near to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, during the Protistology Workshop at MBL. October-November 2005. Isolation and art by Adrian Reyes-Prieto.
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Brachonella (brack-on-ella), a heterotrich ciliate, with an adoral zone of membranelles (not well imaged here) and normal cilia on the body. The anterior end of cell is twisted. Distinguished from Metopus by its spiralling adoral zone of membranelles as opposed to the obliquely oriented but not spiralling AZM of Metopus.These cells mostly found in anoxic sites. Phase contrast.
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Caenomorpha (seen-owe-morph-a) sapropelica. Body medusoid with 1 to 3 posterior spines. Without somatic cilia except for a band which lies near the membranelles. The membranelles form a long spiral that encircles the body and ends in posteriorly situated cytostome. A contractile vacuole is located at the base of the spine. Symbiotic (methanogenic) bacteria occur in the cytoplasm. Move very quickly, with a jerky rotation. Between 1-4 macronuclei but always with only 1 micronucleus. Common in anoxic habitats. This specimen was collected in a bog near Konstanz, Germany. 135 microns long. Differential interference contrast.
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Optical section of the large metopid ciliate, Brachonella caduca (Kahl 1927, Jankowski, 1964). Synonym of Metopus caduca (Kahl, 1927). The cell is pyriform with a broadly domed anterior and tapered truncate posterior end. The long peristome spirals from the dorsum anteriorly around the circumference of the cell to terminate posteriorly at the cytostome (seen here just above contractile vacuole) on the same longitudinal line as the peristome origin. 2 to 3 kinities lie anterior and parallel to the peristome. Approximately 9 longitudinal somatic kineties occur posterior to the peristome. The anterior margin of the peristome is paralleled by a peristomal stripe of kineties, the posterior margin by an adoral zone of membranelles. The somatic kineties of the right and left side terminate anteriorly at a bare suture. There is a long tuft of caudal cilia. A single contractile vacuole is located at the posterior end. There is a single large eccentric spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus. B. caduca is an obligate anaerobe. From stagnant freshwater sapropelic sediment rich in hydrogen sulfide near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Right side view of Metopus palaeformis (Kahl, 1927).Synonyms probably include Tesnospira alba (Jankowski,1964),M. hyalinus (Kahl,19270 and M. tenuis (Kahl,1927) among others.Morphology is highly variable probably explaining the large number of synonyms. The cell is flask-shaped to elongate (as in this example).The anterior end is twisted to the left resulting in a rounded lip that overhangs the peristome.The spiral peristome is bordered on the left by an adoral zone of membranelles and on the right by five closely spaced kineties,the "perizonal stripe".Just to the right of the posterior termination of the AZM is a short, inconspicuous undulating membrane(usually visible only in silver-stained preparations).The The right somatic kineties parallel the peristome anteriorly and the left somatic kineties terminate at the margin of the peristome.There is no long tuft of caudal cilia. The prominent ellipsoid macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus are in the anterior half. The contractile vacuole is at the posterior end.The cytoplasm contains endosymbiotic methanogenic bacilli (not seen here).There is an aggregate of brown refractile granules at the anterior end typical of the metopid ciliates.Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched rain pool with abundant decaying grass contaminated by Canada goose (Branta canadensis) droppings.Boise, Idaho. January 2006. DIC.
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Logrono, La Rioja, Spain
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Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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San Martin De Castaneda, Castille and Leon, Spain
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Luanco, Asturias, Spain
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Brachonella (brack-on-ella), a heterotrich ciliate, with an adoral zone of membranelles (not well imaged here) and normal cilia on the body. The anterior end of cell is twisted. Distinguished from Metopus by its spiralling adoral zone of membranelles as opposed to the obliquely oriented but not spiralling AZM of Metopus.These cells mostly found in anoxic sites. Phase contrast.
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Caenomorpha (seen-owe-morph-a) sapropelica. Body medusoid with 1 to 3 posterior spines. Without somatic cilia except for a band which lies near the membranelles. The membranelles form a long spiral that encircles the body and ends in posteriorly situated cytostome. A contractile vacuole is located at the base of the spine. Symbiotic (methanogenic) bacteria occur in the cytoplasm. Move very quickly, with a jerky rotation. Between 1-4 macronuclei but always with only 1 micronucleus. Common in anoxic habitats. This slightly squashed specimen collected in a bog near Konstanz, Germany; measuring 135 microns. Differential interference contrast.
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Ventral view of the large metopid ciliate, Brachonella caduca (Kahl 1927, Jankowski, 1964). Synonym of Metopus caduca (Kahl, 1927). The cell is pyriform with a broadly domed anterior and tapered truncate posterior end. The long peristome spirals from the dorsum anteriorly around the circumference of the cell to terminating posteriorly at the cytostome on the same longitudinal line as the peristome origin. 2 to 3 kinities lie anterior and parallel to the peristome. Approximately 9 longitudinal somatic kineties occur posterior to the peristome. The anterior margin of the peristome is paralleled by a peristomal stripe of kineties, the posterior margin by an adoral zone of membranelles. The somatic kineties of the right and left side terminate anteriorly at a bare suture. There is a long tuft of caudal cilia. A single contractile vacuole is located at the posterior end. There is a single large eccentric spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus. B. caduca is an obligate anaerobe. From stagnant freshwater sapropelic sediment rich in hydrogen sulfide near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Left lateral view of Metopus palaeformis (Kahl, 1927).Synonyms probably include Tesnospira alba (Jankowski,1964),M. hyalinus (Kahl,19270 and M. tenuis (Kahl,1927) among others.Morphology is highly variable probably explaining the large number of synonyms. The cell is flask-shaped to elongate (as in this example).The anterior end is twisted to the left resulting in a rounded lip that overhangs the peristome.The spiral peristome is bordered on the left by an adoral zone of membranelles and on the right by five closely spaced kineties,the "perizonal stripe".Just to the right of the posterior termination of the AZM is a short, inconspicuous undulating membrane(usually visible only in silver-stained preparations).The The right somatic kineties parallel the peristome anteriorly and the left somatic kineties terminate at the margin of the peristome.There is no long tuft of caudal cilia. The prominent ellipsoid macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus are in the anterior half. The contractile vacuole is at the posterior end.The cytoplasm contains endosymbiotic methanogenic bacilli (not seen here).There is an aggregate of brown refractile granules at the anterior end typical of the metopid ciliates.Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched rain pool with abundant decaying grass contaminated by Canada goose (Branta canadensis) droppings.Boise, Idaho. January 2006. DIC.
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Brachonella (brack-on-ella), a heterotrich ciliate, with an adoral zone of membranelles (not well imaged here) and normal cilia on the body. The anterior end of cell is twisted. Distinguished from Metopus by its spiralling adoral zone of membranelles as opposed to the obliquely oriented but not spiralling AZM of Metopus.These cells mostly found in anoxic sites. Phase contrast.
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Portrait of polysaprobic heterotrich ciliate Caenomorpha sapropelica (Kahl, 1927). The rigid pellicle is colorless. The anterior is bluntly cone shaped and the posterior is drawn out as a long spine. Aggregate of dense brown granules anteriorly. Somatic ciliature is reduced to a single file of thigmotactic cirri on the left side of the anterior dome. The peristome spirals around the body terminating posteriorly at the cytostome.A perizonal stripe of cilia borders the peristome anteriorly. There is an adoral zone of membranelles on the posterior margin of the peristome. Posterior contractile vacuole. Multiple macronuclei are not seen in these images. From standing freshwater pond with decaying leaves near Boise, Idaho. Oblique illumination.
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Dorsolateral view of the large metopid ciliate, Brachonella caduca (Kahl 1927, Jankowski, 1964). Synonym of Metopus caduca (Kahl, 1927). The cell is pyriform with a broadly domed anterior and tapered truncate posterior end. The long peristome spirals from the dorsum anteriorly around the circumference of the cell to terminating posteriorly at the cytostome on the same longitudinal line as the peristome origin (seen well in this image). 2 to 3 kinities lie anterior and parallel to the peristome. Approximately 9 longitudinal somatic kineties occur posterior to the peristome. The anterior margin of the peristome is paralleled by a peristomal stripe of kineties, the posterior margin by an adoral zone of membranelles. The somatic kineties of the right and left side terminate anteriorly at a bare suture. There is a long tuft of caudal cilia. A single contractile vacuole is located at the posterior end. There is a single large eccentric spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus. B. caduca is an obligate anaerobe. From stagnant freshwater sapropelic sediment rich in hydrogen sulfide near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Right side view of Metopus palaeformis (Kahl, 1927).Synonyms probably include Tesnospira alba (Jankowski,1964),M. hyalinus (Kahl,19270 and M. tenuis (Kahl,1927) among others.Morphology is highly variable probably explaining the large number of synonyms. The cell is flask-shaped (as in this example)to elongate .The anterior end is twisted to the left resulting in a rounded lip that overhangs the peristome.The spiral peristome is bordered on the left by an adoral zone of membranelles and on the right by five closely spaced kineties,the "perizonal stripe".Just to the right of the posterior termination of the AZM is a short, inconspicuous undulating membrane(usually visible only in silver-stained preparations).The The right somatic kineties parallel the peristome anteriorly and the left somatic kineties terminate at the margin of the peristome. The prominent ellipsoid macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus are in the anterior half. The contractile vacuole is at the posterior end.The cytoplasm contains endosymbiotic methanogenic bacilli (not seen here).There is an aggregate of brown refractile granules at the anterior end typical of the metopid ciliates.Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched rain pool with abundant decaying grass contaminated by Canada goose (Branta canadensis) droppings.Boise, Idaho. January 2006. DIC.
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Brachonella (brack-on-ella), a heterotrich ciliate, with an adoral zone of membranelles (not well imaged here) and normal cilia on the body. The anterior end of cell is twisted. Distinguished from Metopus by its spiralling adoral zone of membranelles as opposed to the obliquely oriented but not spiralling AZM of Metopus.These cells mostly found in anoxic sites. Phase contrast.
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Dorsolateral view of the large metopid ciliate, Brachonella caduca (Kahl 1927, Jankowski, 1964). Synonym of Metopus caduca (Kahl, 1927). The cell is pyriform with a broadly domed anterior and tapered truncate posterior end. The long peristome spirals from the dorsum anteriorly around the circumference of the cell to terminating posteriorly at the cytostome on the same longitudinal line as the peristome origin (seen well in this image). 2 to 3 kinities lie anterior and parallel to the peristome. Approximately 9 longitudinal somatic kineties occur posterior to the peristome. The anterior margin of the peristome is paralleled by a peristomal stripe of kineties, the posterior margin by an adoral zone of membranelles. The somatic kineties of the right and left side terminate anteriorly at a bare suture. There is a long tuft of caudal cilia. A single contractile vacuole is located at the posterior end. There is a single large eccentric spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus. B. caduca is an obligate anaerobe. From stagnant freshwater sapropelic sediment rich in hydrogen sulfide near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Ventral view of the infraciliature of Metopus palaeformis (Kahl,1927) contracted by fixation and compressed to display details.Synonyms probably include Tesnospira alba (Jankowski,1964),M. hyalinus (Kahl,19270 and M. tenuis (Kahl,1927) among others.Morphology is highly variable probably explaining the large number of synonyms. The cell is flask-shaped (as in this example)to elongate .The anterior end is twisted to the left resulting in a rounded lip that overhangs the peristome.The spiral peristome is bordered on the left by an adoral zone of membranelles (arrow) and on the right by five closely spaced kineties,the "perizonal stripe" (large arrowhead).Just to the right of the posterior termination of the AZM is a short, inconspicuous undulating membrane(small arrowhead).The cytoplasm contains endosymbiotic methanogenic bacilli (not seen here).Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched rain pool with abundant decaying grass contaminated by Canada goose (Branta canadensis) droppings.Boise, Idaho. January 2006.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.
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Brachonella is a ciliate. The cilia, used for movement, are arranged in rows called kineties. In addition, cilia near the back of the cell are used for feeding
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Detail of the well-developed adoral zone of membranelles along the left border of the large buccal cavity of Bothrostoma undulans, a metopid ciliate that is the type species for the genus. From sapropelic sediments in freshwater aquaculture pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.