ciliate WEV filling sequence

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:57 pm

I am not sure what the ID of this ciliate is, but it was fortuitously situated to capture a WEV filling and emptying sequence. From upper left across to the right and back to the lower left you can see the canals fill, then the WEV fills and the cycle begins again. After a while I tried to lower the water level even more, and squashed my specimen (but that was pretty interesting too, all the cell's components spread out).
Optical conditions: Phase contrast: Koehler / Ph 2 aperture, Pl Apo 40X/0.75 phaco 2 objective, Periplan GW HP 10X relay, Kodak DX4530 camera. The ciliate came from a sample of some aquatic plants which was subcultured into a hay/soil infusion with a bit of yeast extract added to boost it.
ciliate ID appreciated, I have some ideas but you guys know better.

--David

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:40 am

Judging from the radial canals, also sometimes referred to as ampules, I would say a Paramecium but there is a structure somewhat in the center of the cell that makes me think a bit different. Then again I do not use phase so that makes me somewhat unfamilar with how the organism, Paramecium, would normally look under phase.

A very good series of images David.

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:14 am

Hi Ken--

Thanks, I am pretty sure its not a type of Paramecium that I am used to anyway, its almost completely flat, with what looks like a membranelle in its "mouth". I will post a DIC or oblique shot showing the overall structure (once I have time to get back to the 'scope). I am trying to grow a bulk culture of them so I can stain them.

--David

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:28 pm

It seems there are a number of ciliates that display these ampules also. Tetrahymena and Colpidium are a couple. The nucleus is also visible in these images and somewhat in the same location in relation to the ampules, as what is seen in the Tetrahymena.

bernhardinho · Post by **bernhardinho** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:24 am

Ken Ramos wrote:It seems there are a number of ciliates that display these ampules also. Tetrahymena and Colpidium are a couple. The nucleus is also visible in these images and somewhat in the same location in relation to the ampules, as what is seen in the Tetrahymena.

Hi Ken,

well, that is sort of strange there, cause only Jahn does say so. I haven't seen depicted these radial canals in T. or C. in other books.

I would go for Paramecium trichium or maybe Glaucoma myriophylli (see here on page 331, top line on the left: http://ameba.i.hosei.ac.jp/DIB/Kahl/)

But it must be said that an ID in phase contrast is hardly possible!

Bernhard

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:06 am

Hi Bernhard--

Yes, I agree, I need to find another one of these creatures and get an oblique shot to really pin down the identification, unfortunately I squashed this one before I could change over the illumination...Thanks for trying though.

--David

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:21 am

Well David...
I don't know the ID either but you really captured those radiating "canals" clearly... looks like it swallowed a tiny Gerbera daisy

Wolfgang Bettighofer · Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:18 pm

Hi David,

once again I've checkt Foissners protozoological guides and think your specimen is a member of Hymenostomata. Size, shape and other details fit well for Paramecium putrium.
Look also at protargol preparation shown at micro*scope:
http://starcentral.mbl.edu/microscope/p ... geid=23351

Cheers, Wolfgang

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:46 pm

Viel Dank Wolfgang--

Now I know what to call the beastie. Thanks, I always learn something when I post here, what a great site.

--David