Epistylidae

Epistylis (ee-pissed-ill-iss) is a colonial peritrich ciliate, distinguished from the other genera with a similar shape (such as Zoothamnium or Carchesium) because they do not have contractile elements (spasmonemes) in their stalks, and so the cells may contract but the stalks do not. Phase contrast micrograph.

Epistylis (ee-pissed-ill-iss) is a colonial peritrich ciliate, distinguished from the other genera with a similar shape (such as Zoothamnium or Carchesium) because they do not have contractile elements (spasmonemes) in their stalks, and so the cells may contract but the stalks do not. Phase contrast micrograph.

Epistylis (ee-pissed-ill-iss) is a colonial peritrich ciliate, distinguished from the other genera with a similar shape (such as Zoothamnium or Carchesium) because they do not have contractile elements (spasmonemes) in their stalks, and so the cells may contract but the stalks do not. Oral region of this species is narrowed, and the oral ciliature is shown clearly. Phase contrast micrograph.

Epistylis, a peritrich, in this case a species which forms branching (arborescent) colonies. This genus is distinguished from Carchesium and Zoothamnium (which form similar colonies) because the stalks of Epistylis cannot contract. This genus is very abundant in Lake Donghu, China. Dark ground micrograph.

Epistylis, a peritrich. This genus is distinguished from Vorticella, Carchesium and Zoothamnium because the stalks of Epistylis cannot contract. This micrograph shows that the stalks are homogeneous and there is no contractile spasmoneme inside them. This genus is very abundant in Lake Donghu, China. Phase contrast micrograph.

Epistylis, and interesting species. Rather large, usually seem on its own, but occasionally it was evident that this organism attached to the substrate by a hollow stalk and the stalk could develop a brown colour. the stalk is not contractile. The cell, when contracting, tends to develop folds. Differential interference contrast.

Epistylis, as if viewed from above the disc - the ciliature of the mouth forms a double wreath around the periphery of the disc, and waves pass along the ciliature driving food particles into the mouth. The waves are seen to the top of this image. Phase contrast.

Epistylis cysts. This peritrich ciliate encysts while still attached to the non-contracting stalks. Phase contrast optics.

Epistylis, a peritrich ciliate. May or may not be colonial, the stalks lack spasmonenes. Phase contrast optics.

It is not uncommon to find peritrich ciliates attached to the outer surface of metazoa, especially those that swim or feed on suspended particles. The ciliates benefit from access to more and better food. The metazoon oddly seems not to be affected. Dark ground illumination of living organisms.

Rhabdostyla (rab-doe-style-a) a peritrich ciliate, attached to the substrate by the posterior end of the cell, but not with a differentiated stalk. Feeding cilia located as a wreath at the anterior end. The long dark bodies within these cells are their macronuclei. Phase contrast.

Rhabdostyla (rad-doe-stile-a) are solitary peritrich ciliates with a very short noncontractile stalk. The body is mostly inverted bell-shaped. The peristome shows a definite lip. Some species of the genus live epizooic on freshwater invertebrates, particularly crustacea, insects and worms. This genus can be confused with Apiosoma which is restricted to being epizooic on vertebrates. Rhabdostyla inclinans is an epizooic species and this cell was attached by a short stalk to the bristle of a worm. Differential interference contrast.

Rhabdostyla, peritrich ciliate attached to substrate by non-contractile stalk. This image shows a detail of the surface. Differential interference contrast optics.

Rhabdostyla, peritrich ciliate attached to substrate by non-contractile stalk. The oral ciliate forms a wreath around the anterior end, the inner wreath being an extended membranelle, the outer one being the undulating membrane.

Rhabdostyla, peritrich ciliate attached to substrate by non-contractile stalk. The oral ciliate forms a wreath around the anterior end, the inner wreath being an extended membranelle, the outer one being the undulating membrane. The surface of the body is ridged.