Trachelomonas, cell division

Images made through a microscope. All subject types.

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Bernd
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Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:07 pm

Trachelomonas, cell division

Post by Bernd »

Image

The bodies of these euglenoids are enclosed in an envelope, or lorica, with a small opening at the front of the cell through which a single flagellum emerges. The specimen in Figs. B and C are undergoing cell division (note the two red eyespots in B). Though asexual reproduction in euglenoids is by longitudinal cell division, the individuals shown in these pictures apparently undergo transverse fission. However: “(In photosynthetic euglenoids) cell division …starts anteriorly at the reservoir base and proceeds posteriorly until until sibling cells separate….After cell division, the two products of division line up one behind the other along the longitudinal lorica axis, and presumably one or both of the sibling protoplasts emerge naked from the apical opening, swimm off, and each secretes a new lorica” (J. D. Wehr, R. G. Sheath (eds.) The Freshwater Algae of North America, p.405 & 414, Academic Press, 2003).

Zeiss Axioskop, Plan-Neofluar 40x/ 0.75, brightfield illumination, Canon PowerShot G5.

Charles Krebs
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Location: Issaquah, WA USA
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Post by Charles Krebs »

Bernd... I have seen these regularly, but never observed what you have shown us here. Very nice... Thanks!

Interesting that they both form new lorica.

Ken Ramos
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Post by Ken Ramos »

Nice job on these Bernd, you captured the flagellum quite well. Something I have not been able to do with a flagellate, well not to often anyway. :D

beetleman
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Post by beetleman »

Cool info and shots Bernd :wink:
Take Nothing but Pictures--Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Doug Breda

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