Lorica surface detail

Description:

Detail view of the lorica of the euglenoid flagellate, Trachelomonas reticulata (Klebs, 1833) Synonym: T. obovata v. klebsiana (Deflandre). The lorica is egg-shaped. The collar of the flagellar pore of the lorica is flush with the surface. Spines are absent. The lorica has closely spaced rows of scrobiculations (shallow depressions) arranged in a left-hand spiral (seen here). The brittle lorica is light brown due to deposition of mineral salts. There is one emergent flagellum about 3 cell lengths. T. reticulata is one of the few colorless species of this genus. Collected from a temporary rainwater pool with decaying grass near Boise, Idaho, March 2005. DIC.