nucleus with micronuclei

Description:

Stentor amethystinus - a smallish brown member of the genus. The brown colour comes from a combination of dark red pigment granules which lie in rows between the kineties and may also lie within the cytoplasm, and endosymbiotic green algae. There is a single macronucleus, usually also surrounded by pigment granules as can be seen here and with up to 10 or so micronuclei are pressed against the surface of the macronucleus. Tends to adopt a somewhat shortened shape when attached. For more details on this organism and a comment about the identity, see Heep, T., Rohozinski, J., Simpson, A. and Patterson, D.J. 1998. Stentor amethuystinus (Protista: Ciliophora: Heterotrichida), a common protozoan member of the fresh-water plankton in Australia. Records Australian Museum, 50: 211-216. Differential interference contrast.