Porttrait

Description:

Portrait of the loricate marine heterotrich ciliate, Metafolliculina producta. Most folliculinid ciliates are found in marine habitats. Metafolliculina producta is greenish-blue in color. This large species resides in a lorica that has distinct annular ridges toward the fluted open end. The highly contractile cell withdraws instantly into the lorica when disturbed (as seen in this image). The lorica is angulated but this feature is often not apparent due to compression by the coverslip. When fully protruded from the lorica the wing-like extensions of the peristomal area are evident. The cytostome lies at the central confluence of the peristomal wings. The somatic ciliation consists of uniform (holotrichous) longitudinal kineties. The genus Metafolliculina is distinguished from the similar Folliculina by its moniliform macronucleus (not well seen in this image). Collected from a commercial saltwater aquarium in Boise, Idaho February 2004. DIC optics.