ISSN:
0886-1544
Keywords:
contractile system
;
microfilaments
;
microtubules
;
endoplasmic reticulum
;
ciliophora
;
oligotrichina
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Tontonia appendiculariformis is a marine planktonic ciliate with a long tail. The tail can contract rapidly, becoming transformed into an oval mass one-twentieth of its original length. The highly complex ulrastructure of the tail is described here in detail. A large part of the volume of the tail contains numerous more or less parallel membranous tubes. The membrane of the tubes has numerous invaginations and is probably derived from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This tubular material forms a continuous layer around the tail, interrupted in only one region, which contains cilia. Associated with the cilia are basal fibres with a periodically banded appearance. The tubular layer forms several folds separated by hyaloplasm containing many mitochondria. The pellicle of the tail is thrown into numerous pleats. It comprises a perilemma, a plasmalemma, and complex alveoli, but epiplasm and microtubules are absent. The alveoli appear to form septa within the folds of the layer of membranous tubes. In the region where the tail is attached to the body of the ciliate there are conspicuous bundles of microtubules and microfilaments. The membranous tubes and septa appear to be connected to small bundles of microfilaments, which presumably represent the contractile material. However, we consider the membranous tubes as potentially active in producing the change in shape. Although the structure of the tail of Tontonia is unique, there are certain similarities to the stalk of the Tintinnina and also to the motile extension of the dinoflagellate Erythropsidinium.
Additional Material:
10 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cm.970060221
Permalink
