portrait

Description:

In vivo portrait of the dendrosomatid suctorian,Lernaeophrya capitata (Perez,1903). Some have recommended transfer of L. capitata to the genus Dendrosoma. The irregular cell body fastens to debris (as seen here) or to the surface of invertebrates as aan ectocommensal. The free surface of the cell has numerous, short knob-like protrusions (actinophores) which bear clusters of stout capitate tentacles (arrowheads). A ciliate has been captured by the tentacles of one of the actinophores (arrow). Collected from a freswater pond near Boise, idaho. March 2006. DIC.