Spirostomum

SW_Perspective · Post by **SW_Perspective** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:46 am

"Spirostomum ssp. are highly contractile, heterotrichous ciliates with a long adoral zone of membranelles. Species are distinguished by body size and shape and nuclear pattern." (Spaghnum Bog Life) I found these in bottom sediments. They were about 700 microns long.

NFK 2.5x, Splan 10xPL, vertical dimension of image 690 microns. The large posterior Contractile Vacuole was distinctive.

NFK 1.67x, SPlan 40xPL, width 255 microns. Detail Contractile Vacuole.

Spirostomum will change shape in response to mechanical shock. I accidentally tapped the slide and this is what happened. NFK 1.67x, SPlan 40xPL, width 353 microns.

NFK 2.5x, SPlan 40xPL, width 144 microns. Detail Nucleus and Collecting Duct

NFK 1.67x, SPlan 40xPL, width 186 microns. Oral Apparatus

NFK 1.67x, SPlan 40xPL, width 159 microns. Detail Oral Apparatus

Bruce Taylor · Post by **Bruce Taylor** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:50 am

Beautiful!

This is Spirostomum teres.

carlos.uruguay · Post by **carlos.uruguay** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:04 pm

Nice and instructive.
Thanks for sharing it

vasselle · Post by **vasselle** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 5:38 am

Bonjour
Très belles séries images.
Merci pour le partage
Cordialement seb

J Garza · Post by **J Garza** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:33 am

Very beautiful.
What sort of phase ring? Blue daylight filter?
I love the blue hue.

SW_Perspective · Post by **SW_Perspective** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:41 pm

Thanks, all, for the comments and thanks Bruce for the species ID.

What sort of phase ring? Blue daylight filter?

Yes, blue filter and taken with Vivitar 283 flash. The Olympus phase objectives are positive (PL designation).