Epalxellidae

Left side view of Saprodinium dentatum (Lauterborn,1901) Lauterborn,1908. Odontostome ciliate with laterally compressed complex rigid pellicle. 8 posterior spines with needle-thin tips. Curved anterior spine projecting to left. Spinous projection adjacent to cytostome. Anterior ciliature and sharp posterior spines respectively distinguish this genus from Atopodinium and Epalxella. Polysaprobic. Macronucleus in three rounded parts. From stagnant freshwater pond with decaying leaves near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.

Epalxella (ee-palk-sell-a) is an odontostome ciliate. This is a small group of small flattened and sparsely ciliated ciliates which are most usually found in anoxic habitats. They have a small group of ciliary organelles associated with the mouth - the clear area at about 4 o clock. Differential interference contrast.

Right side view of the odontostome ciliate, Saprodinium putrinium (Lackey, 1925).Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC.

Left side view of Saprodinium dentatum (Lauterborn,1901) Lauterborn,1908. Odontostome ciliate with laterally compressed complex rigid pellicle. 8 posterior spines with needle-thin tips. Curved anterior spine projecting to left. Spinous projection adjacent to cytostome. Anterior ciliature and sharp posterior spines respectively distinguish this genus from Atopodinium and Epalxella. Polysaprobic. Macronucleus in three rounded parts (third part slightly out of focus here). From stagnant freshwater pond with decaying leaves near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.

Portrait (right side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella antiquorum (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960 (synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis). The cell has a clear rigid pellicle with a broad lenticular outline. The body is strongly laterally compressed. The dorsum is broadly rounded. The right side is broadly truncate posteriorly with a blunt spine on the ventral margin. The posterior side on the left terminates in 5-7 blunt spines. The spines do not terminate in needle-like processes seen in the similar genus, Saprodinium. The right and left surfaces of the pellicle bear longitudinal folds and ridges. A perizonal ciliary complex with 5 kineties and two shorter kineties runs across the ventral surface for a short distance onto the left and a longer distance onto the right surface anterior to the cytostome. The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles is in the middle of the ventral surface. There is a prominent tooth-like spine at the anterior edge of the cytostome. The longitudinal somatic kineties are located on the pellicular ridges of the left surface and the dorsal and ventral edge of the right side. They do not extend more than 1/3 body length. The single contractile vacuole is located posteriorly. There are either two or four macronuclei. The cytoplasm contains methanogenic bacteria. Refractile brown cytoplasmic granules accumulate anteriorly. Collected from hydrogen sulfide- rich bottom sediments of slow-flowing freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho March 2004. DIC.

Left side view of the odontostome ciliate, Saprodinium putrinium (Lackey, 1925).Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC.

Right side view of Saprodinium dentatum (Lauterborn,1901) Lauterborn,1908. Odontostome ciliate with laterally compressed complex rigid pellicle. 8 posterior spines with needle-thin tips. Curved anterior spine projecting to left. Spinous projection adjacent to cytostome. Anterior ciliature and sharp posterior spines respectively distinguish this genus from Atopodinium and Epalxella. Polysaprobic. Macronucleus in three rounded parts (not seen in this view). From stagnant freshwater pond with decaying leaves near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield.

Portrait (left side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella antiquorum (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960 (synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis). The cell has a clear rigid pellicle with a broad lenticular outline. The body is strongly laterally compressed. The dorsum is broadly rounded. The right side is broadly truncate posteriorly with a blunt spine on the ventral margin. The posterior side on the left terminates in 5-7 blunt spines. The spines do not terminate in needle-like processes seen in the similar genus, Saprodinium. The right and left surfaces of the pellicle bear longitudinal folds and ridges. A perizonal ciliary complex with 5 kineties and two shorter kineties runs across the ventral surface for a short distance onto the left and a longer distance onto the right surface anterior to the cytostome. The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles is in the middle of the ventral surface. There is a prominent tooth-like spine at the anterior edge of the cytostome. The longitudinal somatic kineties are located on the pellicular ridges of the left surface and the dorsal and ventral edge of the right side. They do not extend more than 1/3 body length. The single contractile vacuole is located posteriorly. There are either two or four macronuclei. The cytoplasm contains methanogenic bacteria. Refractile brown cytoplasmic granules accumulate anteriorly. Collected from hydrogen sulfide- rich bottom sediments of slow-flowing freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho March 2004. DIC.

Left side view of the odontostome ciliate, Saprodinium putrinium (Lackey, 1925).Collected from the bottom sediments of an organically enriched freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. DIC.

Portrait (right side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella antiquorum (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960 (synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis). The cell has a clear rigid pellicle with a broad lenticular outline. The body is strongly laterally compressed. The dorsum is broadly rounded. The right side is broadly truncate posteriorly with a blunt spine on the ventral margin. The posterior side on the left terminates in 5-7 blunt spines. The spines do not terminate in needle-like processes seen in the similar genus, Saprodinium. The right and left surfaces of the pellicle bear longitudinal folds and ridges. A perizonal ciliary complex with 5 kineties and two shorter kineties runs across the ventral surface for a short distance onto the left and a longer distance onto the right surface anterior to the cytostome. The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles is in the middle of the ventral surface. There is a prominent tooth-like spine at the anterior edge of the cytostome. The longitudinal somatic kineties are located on the pellicular ridges of the left surface and the dorsal and ventral edge of the right side. They do not extend more than 1/3 body length. The single contractile vacuole is located posteriorly. There are either two (as seen in this image) or four macronuclei. The cytoplasm contains methanogenic bacteria. Refractile brown cytoplasmic granules accumulate anteriorly. Collected from hydrogen sulfide- rich bottom sediments of slow-flowing freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho March 2004. DIC.

Portrait (left side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella exigua (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960. Synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis. Collected from bottom sediments of a rain barrel; Boise, Idaho. DIC. This image was taken by William Bourland. He now uses a Zeiss Axioskop 2 with a Spot Insight CCD camera (Diagnostic Instruments).

Portrait (right side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella exigua (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960. Synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis. Collected from bottom sediments of a rain barrel; Boise, Idaho. DIC. This image was taken by William Bourland. He now uses a Zeiss Axioskop 2 with a Spot Insight CCD camera (Diagnostic Instruments).

Portrait (left side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella exigua (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960. Synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis. Collected from bottom sediments of a rain barrel; Boise, Idaho. DIC. This image was taken by William Bourland. He now uses a Zeiss Axioskop 2 with a Spot Insight CCD camera (Diagnostic Instruments).

Portrait (right side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella exigua (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960. Synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis. Collected from bottom sediments of a rain barrel; Boise, Idaho. DIC. This image was taken by William Bourland. He now uses a Zeiss Axioskop 2 with a Spot Insight CCD camera (Diagnostic Instruments).

Infraciliature (left side) of the sapropelic odontostome ciliate, Epalxella exigua (Penard, 1922) Corliss, 1960. Synonymous with the preoccupied Epalxis. Collected from bottom sediments of a rain barrel; Boise, Idaho.Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield. This image was taken by William Bourland. He now uses a Zeiss Axioskop 2 with a Spot Insight CCD camera (Diagnostic Instruments).

Portrait (right side) of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.

Portrait (left side) of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics. 

Left ventrolateral view of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The large cytostome and prominent adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics. 

Portrait (right side) of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.

Left side of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.

Portrait (left side) of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite (as seen here). There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.

Surface view (right side) of the odontostome ciliate, Pelodinium reniforme (Lauterborn,1908). The genus is monospecific. The cell outline is broadly reniform and laterally compressed. The right surface is slightly convex. The clear rigid pellicle bears inconspicuous longitudinal ribs. A small midline posterior indentation is bordered by 6 short blunt spines (3 each on the right and left surfaces). The cytostome and adoral zone of membranelles are located on the mid-portion of the ventral surface (not seen in this view). There is a prominent sharp tooth-like spine anterior to the cytostome. The frontal zone of kineties (5 single and 2 double rows) wraps from the left surface around the ventrum and onto the right surface to the midline. The somatic ciliature is reduced to 4 right and 3 left longitudinal kineties some of which extend at least ½ the body length. The ovoid macronucleus may be single or bipartite. There is a single posterior contractile vacuole near the cytostome. There are symbiotic methanogenic bacteria in the cytoplasm. Brownish refractile granules are clustered anteriorly. Collected from hypoxic sediment of standing freshwater near Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.

Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991).Brightfield.