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Volvox (vol-vox) is the iconic colonial volvocid - motile green alga. In this case hundred of cells are embedded in a sphere of common mucus. Each individual cell is tiny, linked to others by fine threads of cytoplasm, has two flagella, and a cup-shaped chloroplast - a bit like a Chlamydomonas cell. There are a number of related genera which form colonies using mucus as a common matrix, but they differ in the numbers of cells involved, how tightly packed they are, and the shape of the colony. Differential interference contrast.
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Volvox (vol-vox) is the iconic colonial volvocid - motile green alga. In this case hundred of cells are embedded in a sphere of common mucus. Each individual cell is tiny, linked to others by fine threads of cytoplasm, has two flagella, and a cup-shaped chloroplast - a bit like a Chlamydomonas cell. There are a number of related genera which form colonies using mucus as a common matrix, but they differ in the numbers of cells involved, how tightly packed they are, and the shape of the colony. This is a detail of the surface of the colony, showing the flagella projecting from beyond the edge of the mucus. Differential interference contrast.
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Volvox (vol-vox) is the iconic colonial volvocid - motile green alga. In this case hundred of cells are embedded in a sphere of common mucus. Each individual cell is tiny, linked to others by fine threads of cytoplasm, has two flagella, and a cup-shaped chloroplast - a bit like a Chlamydomonas cell. There are a number of related genera which form colonies using mucus as a common matrix, but they differ in the numbers of cells involved, how tightly packed they are, and the shape of the colony. This picture is a detail of the surface showing the chloroplasts within individual cells and showing the links among cells. Differential interference contrast.
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Volvox (vol-vox) is the iconic colonial volvocid - motile green alga. In this case hundred of cells are embedded in a sphere of common mucus. Each individual cell is tiny, linked to others by fine threads of cytoplasm, has two flagella, and a cup-shaped chloroplast - a bit like a Chlamydomonas cell. There are a number of related genera which form colonies using mucus as a common matrix, but they differ in the numbers of cells involved, how tightly packed they are, and the shape of the colony. This picture is of several colonies, the two lower ones contain a number of smaller daughter colonies within. Differential interference contrast.
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Cell colonies with daugther colonies. One parent disintegrates and let the daughters run free. Scale bar indicates 250 µm.Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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Cell colony with daugther colonies. Scale bar indicates 100 µm.Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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Desintegrated parent colony with zygotes. Scale bar indicates 100 µm.Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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Closeup of a zygote. Mucilaginous sheath is visible. Scale bar indicates 50 µm. Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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Desintegrated parent colony with zygotes. Scale bar indicates 100 µm.Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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An association of Volvox microgametes (spermatozoids). Scale bar indicates 25 µm.Sample from ponds situated in the vicinity of Lake Constance (Bodensee, Southern Germany). The image was built up using several photomicrographic frames with manual stacking technique. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.
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Dark ground image of colony, with daughter colonies enclosed within.