The ciliate Loxodes striatus

[Bernd]

Ciliates of the genus Loxodes are characterized by the absence of contractile vacuoles and the presence of a number of so-called Müller vesicles. The latter are liquid-filled vacuoles which contain spherical barium sulfate crystals, the Müller bodies, which are connected via a stalk to the wall of the vesicles. The Müller vesicles are presumed to act as gravity sensors.

Loxodes striatus (Image 1) is about 270 µm long and contains two macronucleus parts (MA), which are separated about 60 µm from each other. Two micronuclei (MI) are located at the sides of the macronuclei facing each other



Image 2 shows the anterior (front) end of this ciliate (Ki: ingested diatom; MA: macronucleus; MI: micronucleus; OA: oral apparatus; arrows: Müller vesicles)



Image 3 is a close up showing one macronucleus part (MA) with its micronucleus (MI) and two Müller vesicles (MO).



Bernd