Calyptotricha chlorelligera
(Lepsi, 1957) Foissner 1987
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n.a.
Sampling location: Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Calyptotricha chlorelligera
Diagnosis:
- length about 30-40 µm
- body shape ovoid
- lorica soft tube with almost parallel sides
- prominent L-shaped undulating membrane
- macronucleus centrally with a sphaerical micronucleus
- about 10 – 20 symbiotic algae
- long caudal cilium
- CV subterminal
I found Calyptotricha chlorelligera for the first time in 2015 in Simmelried. Calyptotricha chlorelligera was first described by Lepsi (1957). This first description was rudimentary. Only in 1987 Foissner gave a detailed redescription. The ciliate builds a gelatinuous tube with almost parallel sides. This lorica is always covered with detritus or embedded into the detritus and hard to investigate.
Fig. 1 a-f: Calyptotricha chlorelligera. L = 31 µm. A freely rotating specimen in the lorica. The lorica has a lenghts of 82 µm. a-d) ventral view; e) lateral view from right; f) lateral view from left. CC = caudal cilium, CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, Mi = micronucleus, SA = symbiotic algae, UM = undulating membrane. Obj. 100 X.
The species is very similar to Calyptotricha pleuronemoides and has also symbiotic algae. However, Calyptotricha chlorelligera builds a gelatinuous tube with almost parallel sides while the lorica of Calyptotricha pleuronemoides has a distinct central bulbous region. Furthermore, the contractile vacuole of Calyptotricha chlorelligera is located subterminal and the caudal cilium is longer.
Fig. 2: Calyptotricha chlorelligera. Direct comparison of Calyptotricha chlorelligera and Calyptotricha pleuronemoides in real size ratio. Note the subterminal contractile vacuole of Calyptotricha chlorelligera compared to the terminal contractile vacuole of Calyptotricha pleuronemoides. CV = contactile vacuole. Obj. 100 X.