Apsiktrata gracilis

(Penard, 1922) Foissner, Berger & Kohmann, 1994

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: Urotricha gracilis, Holophrya gracilis

 

Sampling location: Simmelried

 

Phylogenetic tree: Apsiktrata gracilis

 

Diagnosis: 

  • cell ovoid, tapering slowly posteriorly, cross section round
  • length 50–70 µm, width 25–35 µm
  • basket of trichites straight to slightly oblique inserted
  • anterior end of basket with refractive collar
  • spherical macronucleus with central nucleolus or some peripheral nucleoli
  • macronucleus located in anterior half
  • one micronucleus adjacent to macronucleus
  • contractile vacuole in posterior third
  • about 30 µm long caudal cilium
  • extrusomes rod-shaped, 4 µm long
Apsiktrata-gracilis
Apsiktrata gracilis

Apsiktrata gracilis is the most common prostomatid ciliate in the mud of Simmelried. It is present in almost all samples, sometimes in masses. The species can be easily identified by the thickened ends of the trichites of the basket, which together form an apikal, refractive collar (s. fig. 3). The basket of trichtites is often oblique relative to the longitudinal cell axis, which can be easily seen in freely swimming and spinning specimens. In addition, this ciliate has a rather long caudal cilium. In my population, all of the specimens I examined were filled with clearly visible symbiotic bacteria. Interestingly, these are not mentioned by any of the earlier authors, including Foissner, who published an accurate redescription in 1984 (still under Holophrya gracilis). Originally this species was described as Urotricha gracilis by Penard. Later Kahl placed it in Holophrya. Finally, Foissner, Berger and Kohmann transferred this species from the genus Holophrya to the newly created genus Apsiktrata, because in contrast to Holophrya and Prorodon species of the genus Apsiktrata do not possess a dorsal brush.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 1 a-d: Apsiktrata gracilis. L = 65 µm. A freely swimming specimen (a) is fixed and squashed during reduction of the layer thickness (b – c). CC = caudal cilium, CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, OA = oral aperture. Obj. 100 X.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 2 a-d: Apsiktrata gracilis. L = 52 µm. Different focal planes of a second, freely swimming specimen. Note the oblique basket of trichtites (TB). CC = caudal cilium, CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, Mi = micronucleus. Obj. 100 X.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 3: Apsiktrata gracilis. L = 54 µm. This slightly squashed specimen has fed on small algae and cyanobacteria. Note the thickened anterior ends of the trichites appearing as a refractive collar (RC). Obj. 100 X.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 4 a-b: Apsiktrata gracilis. L = 60 µm. Two focal planes of a slightly squashed specimen. Obj. 100 X.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 5: Apsiktrata gracilis. The strongly squashed specimen shown in figs. 4 a-b. Beneath the pellicle the delicate extrusomes (EX) are visible. The cytoplasm is completely filled with symbiotic bacteria (SB) of different shape and size. TB = trichites of the basket. Obj. 100 X.

Apsiktrata-gracilis

Fig. 6: Apsiktrata gracilis. L = 65 µm. As food, mainly small algae and cyanobacteria are phagocytosed. The digestion processes in the vacuoles sometimes result in colorful specimens. Obj. 100 X.