Lagynus elegans

(Engelmann, 1862) Quennerstedt, 1867

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: n.a.

 

Sampling location: Purren pond, Simmelried 

 

Phylogenetic tree: Lagynus elegans

 

Diagnosis: 

  • body flask-shaped, at anterior end (“neck”) with 3–5 annular furrows
  • anterior neck can be retracted
  • cell surface with longitudinal furrows
  • length 130–200 µm, width 40–60 µm
  • macronucleus ellipsoid or bean-shaped, one ellipsoid micronucleus
  • contractile vacuole at posterior end
  • 37–50 longitudinal rows of cilia
  • in the cytoplasm rod-shaped, thin extrusomes, about 15 µm long
  • oral bulge with about 30 chevron-shaped rods
Lagynus-elegans
Lagynus elegans

I find Lagynus elegans rarely, but regularly. In some years the species appeared with 5 – 10 specimens per milliliter. The species is easy to recognize by the stepped neck, which is caused by ring-shaped furrows. There should be 3–5 furrows. However, at high magnification I had the impression that there are 7 furrows, even if the furrows becoming less pronounced towards the posterior end (s. fig. 7). The longitudinal furrows of the pellicle (s. figs. 1e, 1f and 7) is not mentioned by either Kahl or Foissner, although I was able to detect it in all specimens in my population. The extrusomes scattered in the cytoplasm should be about 15 µm long according to Foissner. In my specimens I could measure lengths between 9 – 11 µm.

 

According to Foissner the species Lagynus elegans should be synonymous with Lacrymaria sapropelica. After I found a Lacrymaria which has the characteristics of Lacrymaria sapropelica described by Kahl (e.g. head broader than the neck), I am convinced that Lacrymaria sapropelica is a defined species which is not synonymous with Lagynus elegans. Since I was able to detect both species in my sites, I was able to make a direct comparison. Lacrymaria sapropelica not only has a different shaped head and neck, but is also smaller than Lagynus elegans with about 90 µm, does not have the conspicuous longitudinal furrows on the pellicle and has less ciliary rows.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 1 a-f: Lagynus elegans. L = 142 µm. Different focal planes of a freely swimming specimen. Obj. 60 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 2: Lagynus elegans. L = 142 µm. The specimen shown in fig. 1 a-f burrowing in a detritus flake. Obj. 60 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 3 a-b: Lagynus elegans. A specimen with elongated (a) and retracted neck (b). Obj. 60 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 4: Lagynus elegans. Total view of a squashed specimen. CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, MB = intracellular mass of bacteria?, Mi = micronucleus. Obj. 100 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 5 a-b: Lagynus elegans. Lateral (a) and apical view (b) of the head. Note the thin, rod-shaped extrusomes (EX) scattered in the cytoplasm. MO = mouth opening. Obj. 100 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 6: Lagynus elegans. The oral bulge in detail. It seems that the pharyngeal extrusomes (arrow) have tapered ends with a tip. MO = mouth opening. Obj. 100 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 7: Lagynus elegans. The anterior third is tapered to the distal end by annular furrows (AF). Below these furrows, longitudinal furrows (LF) run in parallel arrangement to the posterior end. Obj. 100 X.

Lagynus-elegans

Fig. 8: Lagynus elegans. Two specimens in conjugation. Obj. 60 X.