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Bursaria truncatella Scale bar indicates 100 µm. The specimen was gathered in a pond in the forest of Altenholz-Stift near Kiel. Sampling date 11/2018. The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Axioskop with Olympus OM-D M5 MKII. Image under Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA). Place name: Pond in the forest of Altenholz-Stift (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) Latitude: 54.384913 Longitude: 10.125691 Der Messbalken markiert eine Länge von 100 µm. Die Probe wurde in einem Waldteich bei Altenholz-Stift (nahe Kiel) gesammelt. Datum der Aufsammlung: 11/2018. Mikrotechnik: Zeiss Axioplan, Kamera: Olympus OM-D M5 MKII. Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA). For permission to use of (high-resolution) images please contact postmaster@protisten.de.
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Mahide, Castille and Leon, Spain
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Mellanes, Castilla y Len, Espaa
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Los Cotos, Madrid, Spain
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Bryometopus (bry-o-me-toe-puss) is a uniformly ciliated and the cell is rounded at both poles and is slightly reniform. The conspicuous peristome lies obliquely across the ventral surface. The single contractile vacuole is located approximately in the middle of the cell on the ventral side. The macronucleus may be oval or elongate with several micronuclei. Bryometopus can be confused with Balantidioides which does not have an undulating membrane and with Condylostoma which has a wide triangular peristome and a highly conspicuous undulating membrane. This cell with a buccal cavitiy up to the first third of the cell. The posterior half of the cell is filled with endosymbitic algae. Measuring 120 microns. This specimen was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. Differencial interference contrast.
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Thylakidium (thigh-lack-kid-ee-um) has an ovoid body that is uniformly ciliated, anteriorly truncated and posteriorly rounded. The cytoplasm is usually full of green endosymbiotic algae. The deep peristomial cavity opens apically and is lined out with membranelles which wind clockwise around the apex of the cell. The cytopharynx is bent towards the animal's left. The macronucleus is rounded and there is a single laterally placed contractile vacuole. Thylakidium can be confused with Bursaria and Bursaridium. This specimen was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. This cell in ventral view with a truncated anterior end. The peristomial cavity extends up to the middle of the cell. Differential interference contrast.
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Thylakidium (thigh-lack-kid-ee-um) has an ovoid body that is uniformly ciliated, anteriorly truncated and posteriorly rounded. The cytoplasm is usually full of green endosymbiotic algae. The deep peristomial cavity opens apically and is lined out with membranelles which wind clockwise around the apex of the cell. The cytopharynx is bent towards the animal's left. The macronucleus is rounded and there is a single laterally placed contractile vacuole. Thylakidium can be confused with Bursaria and Bursaridium. This specimen was collected in freshwater ponds near Konstanz, Germany. The contractile vacuole of Thylakidium pituitosum is located ventrally in the middle of the cell. The cell is filled up with green endosymbiotic algae. Differential interference contrast.
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Paracondylostoma setigerum, a colpodid ciliate originally recovered from an alpine pond in central Austria and described by Foissner and Kreutz (Foissner, W., Kreutz, M.: Systematic position and phylogentic relationship of the genus Bursaridium, Paracondylostoma, Thylakidium, Bryometopus, and Bursaria (Ciliphora: Colpoda). Acta Protozoologica 37, 227 - 240 (1998). Overall shape is fusiform with truncate anterior. Oral aperture is anterior, funnel-shaped and extends about 1/3 the length of the cell. A line of membranelles extends completely along the margin of the aperture on the left. Somatic ciliature is uniform in longitudinal kineties. Prominent long bristle-like cilia radiate from the anterior end. The cells occupy a mucus sheath which is transparent and very difficult to see unless bacteria and debris adhere. Cells often flee the sheath when placed on the slide. This individual contains large numbers of zoochlorellae. Centrally located macronucleus is spherical. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield illumination.
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Paracondylostoma setigerum. This image demonstrates the membranelles around the funnel-shaped oral aperture and the long anterior bristle cilia (indistinct here but seen on the organism's right). This individual contains many zoochlorellae. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Oblique illumination.
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Paracondylostoma setigerum. This image demonstrates the membranelles around the funnel-shaped oral aperture and the long anterior bristle cilia (indistinct here but seen on the organism's right). The delicate, transparent mucus sheath is apparent only due adherent debris. This individual contains many zoochlorellae. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Phase contrast illumination.
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Portrait of slightly contracted Paracondylostoma setigerum (Foissner, 1980), a colpodid ciliate originally recovered from an alpine pond in central Austria and described by Foissner and Kreutz (Foissner, W., Kreutz, M.: Systematic position and phylogentic relationship of the genus Bursaridium, Paracondylostoma, Thylakidium, Bryometopus, and Bursaria (Ciliophora: Colpoda). Acta Protozoologica 37, 227 - 240 (1998). P. Setigerum is the type species. Overall shape is fusiform with truncate anterior. Contracts quickly closing oral aperture when disturbed. Oral aperture is anterior, funnel-shaped and extends about 1/3 the length of the cell. A line of membranelles extends completely along the margin of the aperture on the left. Somatic ciliature is uniform in longitudinal kineties. Prominent long bristle-like cilia radiate from the anterior end. The cells occupy a mucus sheath which is transparent and very difficult to see unless bacteria and debris adhere. Cells often flee the sheath when placed on the slide.Centrally located macronucleus is spherical. The contractile vacuole is located in the posterior half.From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Ventral infraciliature of the colpodid ciliate, Paracondylostoma setigerum chlorelligerum(Foissner&Kreutz,1998). There are approximately 50 longitudinal somatic kineties. The anterior most kinetids of these are very closely spaced. Long stiff bristle-like cilia originate from these closely spaced kineties. The anterior vestibular opening is bordered by a narrow paraoral membrane except for an interruption adjacent to the sigmoid adoral zone of membranelles. The densely stained macronucleus and 3 adjacent micronuclei are visible in this image. Multiple zoochlorellae are visible in the cytoplasm. P. setigerum v. chlorelligerum is identical to P. setigerum except that it contains many zoochlorellae. Foissner feels this characteristic warrants separation as a subspecies. Stained by the silver carbonate technic (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330;1991). Brightfield.
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Dorsal infraciliature of the colpodid ciliate, Paracondylostoma setigerum chlorelligerum(Foissner&Kreutz,1998). There are approximately 50 longitudinal somatic kineties. The anterior most kinetids of these are very closely spaced. Long stiff bristle-like cilia originate from these closely spaced kineties. The anterior vestibular opening is bordered by a narrow paraoral membrane except for an interruption adjacent to the sigmoid adoral zone of membranelles. The densely stained macronucleus and 3 adjacent micronuclei are visible in this image. Multiple zoochlorellae are visible in the cytoplasm. Stained by the silver carbonate technic (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27, 313-330;1991). Brightfield.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 organismâs 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.
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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.
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Portrait of Platyophrya sphagni, a colpodid ciliate. Cells are flask shaped with an indistinct subapical oral aperture. The cells are very flexible and squirm about rather slowly along the substratum. When swimming they tend to rotate around their long axis. The right lateral surface is more densely ciliated than the left (best seen anteriorly here). The cytoplasm contains both large ingested algae and smaller symbiotic zoochlorellae which distinguish this species from other members of the genus. The central macronucleus and micronucleus are seen in this image. Many small extrusomes are also seen in this image. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Ventral view of Platyophrya sphagni, a colpodid ciliate. Cells are flask shaped with an indistinct subapical oral aperture (well seen in this image). The cells are very flexible and squirm about rather slowly along the substratum. When swimming they tend to rotate around their long axis. The oral aperture has a right paraoral membrane, and is bordered on the left by a row of adoral organelles and an outer "postoral pseudomembrane". The right lateral surface is more densely ciliated than the left. The cytoplasm contains both large ingested algae and smaller symbiotic zoochlorellae which distinguish this species from other members of the genus. Many small extrusomes are also seen in this image. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Portrait of the nassulid ciliate, Nassula picta Nassulides pictus (Greeff, 1888) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.The cell shape is broadly ovate and slightly flattened.The cell is brightly colored by food vaculoes containing cyanobacteria and algae in various stages of digestion.Cortical alveolae and mucocysts form a distinct pellicular rim (seen here).The cytostome, located in the anterior 1/4 of the cell, is supported by stout nematodesmata.The single contractile vacuole is equatorial. The spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus are central.The somatic kineties are bipolar.There is a synhymenium or hypostomial frange compsed of rectangular groups of kinetids in three rows.The group closest to the cytostome is largest. These groups (7-8) of kinetids are arrange obliquely to the somatic kineties. The obliquity of the hypostomial frange elements distinguishes Nassulides from the otherwise similar genus Nassula in which the elements are perpendicular to the long axis of the cell.The left somatic kineties are interrupted by the synhymenium.The synhymenium extends only slightly onto the dorsum (unlike Obertrumia). Collected from an organically enriched rainwater pool with abundant decaying grass in Boise, Idaho. January 2006.DIC.
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In vivo surface view of the nassulid ciliate, Nassulides pictus (Greeff, 1888) Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002.The cell shape is broadly ovate and slightly flattened.The cell is brightly colored by food vaculoes containing cyanobacteria and algae in various stages of digestion.Cortical alveolae and mucocysts (seen here) form a distinct pellicular rim.The cytostome, located in the anterior 1/4 of the cell, is supported by stout nematodesmata.The single contractile vacuole is equatorial. The spherical macronucleus and adjacent micronucleus are central.The somatic kineties are bipolar.There is a synhymenium or hypostomial frange compsed of rectangular groups of kinetids in three rows.The group closest to the cytostome is largest. These groups (7-8) of kinetids are arrange obliquely to the somatic kineties.The obliquity of the hypostomial frange elements distinguishes Nassulides from the otherwise similar genus Nassula in which the elements are perpendicular to the long axis of the cell.The left somatic kineties are interrupted by the synhymenium.The synhymenium extends only slightly onto the dorsum (unlike Obertrumia). Collected from an organically enriched rainwater pool with abundant decaying grass in Boise, Idaho. January 2006.DIC.