Parabasalids

Monotrichomonas carabina Bernard et al., 1999. Cells 5 to 11 microns long, often with a fine posterior spike which may be as long as the body. Cells are bi-flagellated and normally rounded. The anterior flagellum inserts slightly subapically and is two to three times the length of the body. The posterior flagellum inserts slightly more posteriorly in a latero-posterior plane and is one to two times the length of the body. The proximal portion of the posterior flagellum attaches to the cell body as an undulating membrane, ranging from less than 2 pm long to almost the whole length of the cell. There is a small apical crest. The nucleus is located anteriorly and is surrounded by small, closely packed granules. In some cells a delicate cone of cytoskeletal material was observed running from the nuclear region to merge with the posterior spike. Food vacuoles contain bacteria. Cells swim with a jerky spiralling progression, with the anterior flagellum beating with a clawing motion and the posterior flagellum beating with wide amplitude waves. Compressed or detritus-bound cells may be very plastic, may occasionally produce fine cytoplasmic threads and may glide. During gliding, the distal portion of the flagellum forms a three-quarter loop which travels down the flagellum during cell movement, but is held stationary relative to the substrate. When the loop reaches the proximal end of the flagellum, the movement stops and the flagellum unloops. Further gliding may occur with the flagellum extending anteriorly and forming a new distal loop.

Tritrichomonas (try-try-koe-moan-ass), a trichomonas with three anterior flagella and one recurrent flagellum forming an undulating membrane. Also with an axostyle extending beyond the posterior end of the cell. Group shot, phase contrast.

Tritrichomonas (try-try-koe-moan-ass), a trichomonas with three anterior flagella and one recurrent flagellum forming an undulating membrane seen on the lower faces of the cell. Also with an axostyle extending beyond the posterior end of the cell. Differential interference contrast.

Trichomitus (trike-owe-mite-us), trichomonad flagellate normally found as endosymbionts in other organisms. Three anterior flagella, one recurrent flagellum attaching to the cell surface and beating to form an undulating fold or undulating membrane. An axostyle projects from the rear of the cell and can be used in attaching the cell to the substrate. Phase contrast.

Trichomitus (trike-owe-mite-us), trichomonad flagellate normally found as endosymbionts in other organisms. Three anterior flagella, one recurrent flagellum attaching to the cell surface and beating to form an undulating fold or undulating membrane. An axostyle projects from the rear of the cell. Phase contrast.

Trichomitopsis (trick-owe-mite-us) is a trichomonad flagellate. this genus has five flagella, four pointing forward and in this micrograph these adhere to each other along most of their lengths. There is also a recurrent flagellum which adheres to the surface of the cell and when it beats causes the margin of the cell to undulate. Flagellates ranging in size from 11-150 microns Costa stout, axostyle stout with a terminal segment often expanded into a pointed bulbous enlargement. The trichomonads often wrap around debris in the gut. They ingest particles of wood which gives some cells a very refractile appearance. From the termite Zootermopsis, supplied by Wards Natural Science Establishment, Rochester, New York, USA. Phase contrast.

Trichomitopsis (trick-owe-mite-us) is a trichomonad flagellate. this genus has five flagella, four pointing forward. There is also a recurrent flagellum which adheres to the surface of the cell and when it beats causes the margin of the cell to undulate - the feature that is emphasized in this image. The axostyle leading from the front to the rear is also evident as the stiff dark internal structure. From the termite Zootermopsis, supplied by Wards Natural Science Establishment, Rochester, New York, USA. Phase contrast.

Trichomitopsis (trick-owe-mite-us) is a trichomonad flagellate. this genus has five flagella, four pointing forward. There is also a recurrent flagellum which adheres to the surface of the cell and when it beats causes the margin of the cell to undulate. Flagellates ranging in size from 11-150 microns Costa stout and very obvious here as a curving rod arising anterior to the nucleus. The trichomonads often wrap around debris in the gut. They ingest particles of wood which gives some cells a very refractile appearance. From the termite Zootermopsis, supplied by Wards Natural Science Establishment, Rochester, New York, USA. Phase contrast.

Barbulanympha (barb-you-lah-nymph-a) is one of the trichonymphid hypermastigid flagellates found, in this vase, in the guts of the wood-eating cockroach, Cryptocercus. the flagella arise from the anterior portion of the cell, the most anterior region is a small rostrum. Strands, the parabasal apparatus, extend from the flagella down over the cell to the region of the single large nucleus lying about a quarter of the way down the cell. The parabasal apparatus is comprised of cytoskeletal fibres and associated dictyosomes. Phase contrast.

Barbulanympha (barb-you-lah-nymph-a) is one of the trichonymphid hypermastigid flagellates found, in this vase, in the guts of the wood-eating cockroach, Cryptocercus. the flagella arise from the anterior portion of the cell, the most anterior region is a small rostrum. Strands, the parabasal apparatus, extend from the flagella down over the cell to the region of the single large nucleus. The parabasal apparatus is comprised of cytoskeletal fibres and associated dictyosomes. Differential interference contrast.

Urinympha (your-ee-nympha-a) a lophomonad hypermastigid flagellate from the gut of the wood-eating cockroach, Cryptocercus. With two large tufts of flagella inserting on either side of the front of the cell and these tufts beat alternately. Posterior with food vacuoles containing particles of wood. Phase contrast.