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A colonial peritrich ciliate, Carchesium. Similar to Zoothamnium but Carchesium is distinguished by zooids with discontinuous myonemes allowing individuals of the branched colony to contract independently. However, the entire colony may contract simultaneously. The stalk of Carchesium contracts in a spiral configuration unlike Zoothamnium and Pseudocarchesium whose stalks are described as contracting in a zig-zag fashion. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.
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Carchesium a colonial peritrich similar to Zoothamnium but Carchesium is distinguished by zooids with discontinuous myonemes allowing individuals of the branched colony to contract independently. However, as seen in this image, the entire colony may contract simultaneously. The stalk of Carchesium contracts in a spiral configuration, seen in this image, unlike Zoothamnium and Pseudocarchesium whose stalks are described as contracting in a zig-zag fashion. Pseudocarchesium also has discontinuous myonemes. From a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.
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This peritrich is one of a number of genera that occurs in colonies. It is distinguishable from Zoothamnium in that the whole colony does not contract together when a single cell is stimulated. feeds on bacteria. Bright field illumination.
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Carchesium polypinum.
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