Tontoniidae

Fig 1: Tontonia gracillima Line drawings of protargol stained cells, showing kineties, oral structures and nuclei: a. Ventral view, indicating complex course of the girdle kinety; b. Left lateral view; c. Ventral left view, with ejected trichites (Tr) and tail

Species in this genus of oligotrichs retain chloroplasts in the algae they eat and profit from the photosynthesis of the 'stolen' chloroplasts. The tail is contractile and can stretch out hundreds of microns. The ciliate bounces around as if on a pogo stick

Fig 2: Tontonia gracillima Lugol's fixed cell, ventral left view

Fauré-Fremiet's drawing from his 1914 description of the most bizarre oligotrich ever - Tontonia appendiculiformis - a mixotroph (eats phytoplankton and keeps the chloroplasts) with a pogo stick bouncing tail (hops around in the water).

Fig 3: Tontonia gracillima Lugol's fixed cell, dorsal left view

Fig 4: Tontonia gracillima Lugol's fixed cell, ventral view, tail is lost during fixation (indentation)

Fig 5: Tontonia gracillima Lugol?s fixed and DAPI stained cell, illustrating nuclear shape

Fig 6: Tontonia gracillima Protargol stain, showing fragmented macronucleus and polykinetids. Left lateral side

Fig 7: Tontonia gracillima Protargol stain, showing fragmented macronucleus and polykinetids. Left lateral side

Fig 8: Tontonia gracillima protargol stain, ventral view

Fig 9: Tontonia gracillima Lugol's fixed cell, ventrolateral view, the tail is lost due to fixation, only the indentation is visible

Fig 10: Tontonia gracillima Lugol's fixed cell, ventrolateral view, the tail is lost due to fixation, only the indentation is visible