Overview
Comprehensive Description
Description of Vorticella
biopedia
Source:
BioPedia
Trusted
Ecology
Habitat
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 0.75
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 0.75
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Trusted
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.75 - 0.75
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Trusted
Associations
Known predators
Molanna
Polycentropus
Based on studies in:
Finland (Lake or pond, Littoral)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- K. Aulio, K. Jumppanen, H. Molsa, J. Nevalainen, M. Rajasilta, I. Vuorinen, Litoraalin merkitys Pyhajarven kalatuotannolle, Sakylan Pyhajarven Tila Ja Biologinen Tuotanto (Lounais-Suomen Vesiensuojeluyhdistys R. Y., Turku, Finland, 1981) 47:173-176.
© SPIRE project
Source:
SPIRE
Trusted
Known prey organisms
detritus
Based on studies in:
Finland (Lake or pond, Littoral)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- K. Aulio, K. Jumppanen, H. Molsa, J. Nevalainen, M. Rajasilta, I. Vuorinen, Litoraalin merkitys Pyhajarven kalatuotannolle, Sakylan Pyhajarven Tila Ja Biologinen Tuotanto (Lounais-Suomen Vesiensuojeluyhdistys R. Y., Turku, Finland, 1981) 47:173-176.
© SPIRE project
Source:
SPIRE
Trusted
Wikipedia
Vorticella
 | This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2009) |
Vorticella is a genus of protozoa, with over 16 known species. They are stalked, inverted bell-shaped ciliates, placed among the peritrichs. Each cell has a separate stalk anchored onto the substrate, which contains a contractile fibril called a myoneme. When stimulated, this shortens, causing the stalk to coil like a spring. Vorticella species mainly live in freshwater ponds and streams—generally anywhere protists are plentiful.
Reproduction is by budding, where the cell undergoes longitudinal fission and only one daughter keeps the stalk. The free daughter becomes a telotroch, which swims until it finds suitable substrate to fix and develop its own stalk. They reproduce by fission, which is also known as cell division. They are also capable of reproducing by conjugation, a form of sexual reproduction where two individuals attach at the oral groove and exchange DNA.
Other genera, such as Carchesium, resemble Vorticella, but are branched or colonial.
Vorticella species sometimes stay in clusters or groups considered as colonies, but they are not true colonies because each cell has its own individual stalk. This allows it to detach from the cluster at any time, usually by reverting to a telotroch when environmental conditions are unfavorable.
Common species [edit]
- Vorticella campanula (most common)
- Vorticella citrina
- Vorticella communis
- Vorticella convallaria
- Vorticella floridensis
- Vorticella limnetis
- Vorticella marina
- Vorticella microstoma
- Vorticella monilata
- Vorticella patellina
- Vorticella similis
- Vorticella smaragdina
- Vorticella sphaerica
- Vorticella striata
- Vorticella submicrostoma
- Vorticella utriculus
Vorticella reverts to a telotroch
| Movies of Vorticella contracting and extending - left: Vorticella campanula, right: probably Vorticella convallaria at higher magnification (for full resolution click first on image) |
Source:
Wikipedia
Unreviewed
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