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Portrait of the intramacronucleate ciliate, Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860). The distinctive vestibular region appears as a transverse ciliated furrow leading to a tubular oral cavity. The single ovoid macronucleus lies just posterior to the vestibular area. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole. Plagiopyla is amitochondriate, instead possessing cytoplasmic hydrogenosomes in close association with endobiotic methanogenic bacteria. From bottom sediment of organically enriched standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.
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Portrait of right (dorsal) surface of Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860), a sapropelic plagiopylid ciliate. The body is reniform. Distinctive vestibular region appears as a transverse ciliated furrow leading to a tubular oral cavity (seen here). The somatic ciliature is dense and uniform. On the right (dorsal) surface a distinctive transversely striated pellicular channel bows anteriorly from the peristome then turns posteriorly (seen well here). Single ovoid macronucleus lies just posterior to the vestibular area. Single posterior contractile vacuole (not seen here). Plagiopyla is amitochondriate, instead possessing cytoplasmic hydrogenosomes in close association with endosymbiotic methanogenic bacteria. From bottom sediment of organically enriched standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho. DIC.
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Coronal optical section through Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860), a sapropelic plagiopylid ciliate. The body is reniform. Distinctive vestibular region appears as a transverse ciliated furrow leading to a tubular oral cavity (not seen here). The somatic ciliature is dense and uniform. On the right (dorsal) surface a distinctive transversely striated pellicular channel bows anteriorly from the peristome then turns posteriorly (seen well here). Single ovoid macronucleus lies just posterior to the vestibular area . Single posterior contractile vacuole (seen here overlaid by a food vacuole). Four food vacuoles contain ingested bacteria Plagiopyla is amitochondriate, instead possessing cytoplasmic hydrogenosomes in close association with endosymbiotic methanogenic bacteria. From bottom sediment of organically enriched standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Portrait of left (ventral) surface of Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860), a sapropelic plagiopylid ciliate. The body is reniform. Distinctive vestibular region appears as a transverse ciliated furrow leading to a tubular oral cavity (seen well here). The somatic ciliature is dense and uniform. On the right (dorsal) surface a distinctive transversely striated pellicular channel bows anteriorly from the peristome then turns posteriorly (not seen in this left view). Single ovoid macronucleus lies just posterior to the vestibular area (seen here overlaid by a food vacuole). Single posterior contractile vacuole (not seen here). Plagiopyla is amitochondriate, instead possessing cytoplasmic hydrogenosomes in close association with endosymbiotic methanogenic bacteria. From bottom sediment of organically enriched standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho. DIC optics.
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Silverline system (left side)of Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860). Irregularly spaced transverse fibers between the primary meridians result in a mesh pattern. The peristome is seen at the viewer's upper left. Stained by the dry silver nitrate technic (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Brightfield.
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Silverline system (right side)of plagiopyla nasuta (STEIN, 1860). Originating at the right end of the peristome there is a densely cross striated band in the shape of a shepherd's crook (seen well here). This band extends posteriorly to approximately the level of the equator. In vivo this structure is difficult to discern without DIC.Irregularly spaced transverse fibers between primary meridians result in a mesh pattern. The peristome is seen at the viewer's upper left. Stained by the dry silver nitrate technic (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Brightfield
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Portrait of left (ventral) surface of Plagiopyla nasuta (Stein, 1860), a sapropelic plagiopylid ciliate. An ingested trichome (filament) of the cyanobacterium, Anabaena, is seen in a large food vacuole. From bottom sediment of organically enriched standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho. DIC.
