two tintinnids ("twins") in one lorica

[Franz Neidl]

Currently I find many dinoflagellates and small tindinids with a soft, agglomerated lorica (with little stones) in my samples of marine plankton. Surprisingly there are many loricae with 2 Tintinnids (I call them twins) in it.

It is difficult for me to understand the formation of the "twins". Generally when two tintinnids are formed by the binary fission the first tintinnid (called Proter) leaves the lorica and construct its own house. The posterior tintinnid (called Opiste) remains in the old lorica. But in this case two tintinnids are remainig in the same lorica.

I show you only one exemple. One tinitinnid - not the lorica - was about 75 µm long.

Franz

[John Dolan]

Hi Franz!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wonderful image- especially the intertwined pedicels, almost a braid. These are most likely of the genus Tintinnidium. There are reports of unusual cell division and lorica formation in these odd species- I've seen two ciliate cells in one lorica.

Species of the genus Tintinnidium are distinct from all other tintinnids not only because of the 'soft, amorphous' lorica but also in many characteristics of the ciliate cell. Genetic data suggests that Tintinnidium species are a distinct branch among tintinnids. If you manage to keep some alive- it would be great to know how the lorica is formed- do the twins break the old house into two new homes?

Cheers
John

[Franz Neidl]

Hello John,

I was very happy to recive your help. Now I can better understand the "twins". But I could'nt keep them alive.
The period with the "twins" was lasting only 3 days. In these days I have never seen a lorica with a wall in the middle. I was looking and taking pictures with the phase contrast. In this way it was easier to see the the soft, amorphous lorica.
1 picture

Franz