Infraciliature

Description:

Anterior view of the infraciliature of the prorodontid ciliate, Placus luciae (Kahl,1926) Kahl,1930. The cell is ovoid and slightly laterally compressed. The pellicle has broad slightly spiral ridges separated by narrow furrows. The small oval oral aperture is apical anterior, surrounded by a ring of unciliated kinetosomes (seen well here). The cytopharynx is supported by fine trichites. The somatic ciliature uniform, with cilia. There is a "brush" (seen here at 12 0'clock) composed of a double parallel row of kinetosomes bearing longer cilia. This is about 1/4 to 1/3 cell length arising adjacent to the oral aperture. It terminates at a ventral circular "pit" which has a supporting ring of transversely oriented trichites. The function of this structure is unknown . Collected from a slow-flowing freshwater stream near Boise, Idaho.Stained by the silver carbonate technic (see Foissner, W.Europ. J. Protistol.27,313-330;1991). Brightfield.