Chapter 6

The body is flat, colorless or tinged with yellow, and contractile. It is elliptical in outline, with broadly rounded ends; in some cases the left edge is slightly incurved, the right edge convex. The ventral surface is flat, the dorsal surface is arched in the middle region of the body. The edges being flat are somewhat more transparent than the remainder of the body. The ventral surface is striated by longitudinal straight or slightly curved lines, the dorsal surface is smooth and without cilia. (Maupas describes bristles on the back, but this is not corroborated.) The adoral zone is fairly well developed, but not distinctly marked off from the remaining ventral surface. It begins on the right side and extends entirely around the frontal margin and down the left side below the middle of the body, where it turns suddenly to the right, entering the slightly insunk peristome. The mouth leads into a short, indistinct oesophagus. One contractile vacuole is situated in the dorsal swelling at the posterior end of the animal. Macronucleus double, one in each side of the dorsal swelling. Movement is slow and creeping, with a peculiar method of contracting the more hyaline edge, which may turn upward or around a foreign object.

Fresh (?) and salt water.

Peritromus emmæ Stein. Fig. 49.

With the characters of the genus.

KEY TO THE MARINE GENERA OF OXYTRICHIDÆ.

Diagnostic characters: The peristome is not always marked off from the frontal area. In the most primitive forms the cilia on the ventral surface are similar to those of the preceding family (_Peritromidæ_). Usually some of the anterior and some of the posterior cilia are fused into cirri, distinguished as the frontal and anal cirri, respectively. In the majority of forms all of the cilia are thus differentiated; strong marginal cirri are formed in perfect rows, and ventral cirri in imperfect rows. In addition to the adoral zone there is an undulating membrane on the right side of the peristome, and in some cases a row of cilia between the membrane and the adoral zone. These are the par-oral cilia and they form the par-oral zone.

1. The posterior end is pointed or 2 tail-like

The posterior end is rounded; 5 not tail-like

2. The front end is pointed 3

The front end is rounded 4

3. Frontal and anal cirri absent; Genus _Stichotricha_ often tube-forming

Eight frontal and 3 caudal cirri; Genus _Gonostomum_ not tubiculous

4. Anal cirri present; with or Genus *_Epiclintes_ without short lateral bristles

Anal cirri absent; no bristles Genus _Uroleptus_

5. With frontal cirri 6

No frontal cirri; 2 to 3 rows of Genus _Holosticha_ ventral cirri; anal cirri small

6. Right margin of peristome straight Genus _Oxytricha_ as far as the anterior end; 5 rows ventral cirri; 5 anal cirri

Right margin of peristome curved 7

7. Five rows or less of ventral cirri 8

More than 5 rows of ventral cirri Genus _Urostyla_

8. Membranelles normal; 5-10 anal Genus *_Amphisia_ cirri; no caudal cirri

Membranelles normal; 5 to 10 anal Genus _Stylonychia_ cirri; 3 caudal cirri

Membranelles very large and Genus _Actinotricha_ powerful; adoral zone not continued to mouth; 5 anal cirri

* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.

Genus EPICLINTES Stein '62.

(Stein '62, '64, '67; Mereschowsky '79; Gruber '87; Bütschli '88.)

Very active, contractile, colorless forms of rather small size. In the fully expanded condition the body is oval and long, with its greatest width in the center or at the front half of the body. The posterior end is always drawn out into a relatively long tail, which is extremely elastic. The peristome is short and stretches around the front end of the animal. In the frontal region are from one to three rows of cirri. The ventral surface is covered with longitudinal rows of cilia, the number of rows being in dispute (6 to 7 according to Stein; 9 according to Mereschowsky and Rees) Some of these cilia project from the lateral edges and from the posterior end, where they are slightly elongated. The anus is dorsal and placed at the beginning of the posterior process. Macronucleus probably double. Movement is rapid and restless, the tail process contracting to jerk the body backward. Salt water.

Epiclintes radiosa Quenn. Fig. 50.

Synonym: _Metra radiosa_ Quenn.

The body is elongate, slightly narrowed anteriorly, and drawn out posteriorly into a long, retractile, tail-like portion. Five large cirri extend outward from the anterior extremity. The caudal portion may be extended to a distance equal to twice the length of the body or contracted to half the length. The peculiar nervousness of this form made it extremely difficult to study, and the oral region was imperfectly made out. The anterior cirri appear to line the upper left border of the peristome, which is marked by a row of large cilia. The peristome begins upon the right side of the anterior end and passes backward and to the left, narrowing at this point. The mouth is very small and difficult to see. It is apt to stay in one locality under zoogloea, switching back and forth with great vivacity, or hanging on by the posterior cilia while the anterior end stretches out in the surrounding medium. Nucleus and contractile vacuole were not observed. Length 45µ.

Genus AMPHISIA Sterki '78.

(Sterki '78; Kent '81; Bütschli '88.)

The body is plastic and soft, colorless or slightly tinged with yellow or red. In form it is oval or elongate, the posterior end is rounded and slightly reduced in diameter, but does not form a distinct tail. The anterior end is also rounded and similarly reduced in width. There are two rows of marginal cirri (_Randcirren_), which may be placed some distance from the edge, and two or three rows of ventral cirri between them. There are from 3 to 5 frontal cirri of larger size than those of the ventral rows, and from 5 to 10 anal cirri. (The genus _Holosticha_ is similar in all respects save the presence of frontal cirri.) The macronucleus is double; the contractile vacuole is central and on the left side. The peristome is long and rather narrow and carries an undulating membrane on its right margin. Fresh and salt water.

Amphisia kessleri Wrzes. '77. Fig. 51.

Synonyms: _Trichoda gibba_ Müller; _Oxytricha gibba_ Stein '59; _O. velox?_ Quen. '69; _O. kessleri_ Wrzes. '77.

Body elongate, slightly sigmoid and swollen in the center, about 3-1/2 times as long as broad; the rounded anterior end is turned to the left, the similarly rounded posterior end to the right; both ends taper slightly. The peristome is long and narrow, with a distinct adoral zone which appears broken in its course. To the right of this adoral zone is a single line of preoral cilia. On the right border of the peristome is an undulating membrane. The three frontal cirri form a triangle and the five smaller anal cirri form a continuous line with the broken row of ventral cirri. There are two and one-half rows of ventral cirri and the marginal cirri are drawn in until they are ventral in position.

Length 135µ; greatest width 40µ.

This variety differs from _O. kessleri_ as described by Wrzesniowski in having three frontal cirri instead of four. Another difference is in the structure of the nuclei and in their position. These differences are too minute to warrant a specific name. _O. velox_ of Quennerstedt is probably the same as _0. kessleri_, but differs in having three complete rows of ventral cirri. _O. velox_ has three frontal cirri in a line, thus differing from the Woods Hole form.

KEY TO THE MARINE GENERA OF EUPLOTIDÆ.

Diagnostic characters: Cilia, as well as the frontal, marginal, and ventral cirri, very much reduced; the anal cirri, on the other hand, are always present. The macronucleus is band-form.

1. Frontal cirri more than 8 2

Frontal cirri less than 8 3

2. Eleven marginal cirri on the left Genus _Certesia_ side; 11 frontal cirri

Four marginal cirri, 2 on each Genus *_Euplotes_ side; 9 to 10 frontal cirri

3. Seven frontal, 5 anal, 3 right Genus *_Diophrys_ marginal, and 2 left marginal cirri

No frontal, 5 anal, 3 right, Genus *_Uronychia_ and 2 left marginal cirri

* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.

Genus EUPLOTES (Ehr. 1831) Stein '59.

(Ehrenberg '31, '38; Stein '59; Cl. & Lach. '58; Quennerstedt '65, '67, '69; Bütschli '88; Kent '81; Gourret & Roeser '88; Möbius '88.)

Small to medium-sized forms. Rigid in form, colorless, or green by chlorophyl. They are quite flat on the ventral surface but decidedly arched dorsally, and the contour is usually oval. The anterior end is broadly rounded to truncate; the posterior end is similarly rounded, or may be somewhat pointed. The mouth is placed centrally or near the left margin, and from it the right edge of the peristome forms a curved line to the left, which bends forward, thus making the greater part of the left edge the peristomial area. In front the peristome bends sharply to the right and extends as far as the right end of the adoral zone. Upon the frontal and median ventral surface are 9 to 10 great cirri (_Bauchwimpern_ of Stein). Posteriorly five great anal cirri stretch out beyond the posterior body margin. In addition to these there are two smaller marginal cirri upon the left body edge, and two similar ones on the hinder part of the body. The dorsal surface is rarely smooth, but usually is marked by longitudinal ridges, and rows of dorsal bristles have been described. The single contractile vacuole lies on the right side in the region of the anal cirri, sometimes just above them, sometimes below. The anus is posterior and on the right side. The characteristic macronucleus is long and band-form, its main portion being usually on the left side with an anterior and a posterior arm toward the right. Movement is rapid swimming, which, however, is frequently broken by creeping periods, during which the animals appear to be examining the foreign body on which they creep.

Fresh and salt water.

Euplotes charon Ehr. Fig. 52.

Synonyms: _Trichoda charon_ Müller; _Ploesconia charon_; _P. affinis_, _subrotunda_, _radiosa_, _longiremis_, Dujardin '41.

The body is oval, small, and somewhat variable in length. The carapace is strongly marked upon the dorsal side by deep longitudinal grooves, 6 to 8 in number; the grooves may be absent, however. The adoral zone extends to the posterior third of the body, the mouth and oesophagus are directed anteriorly. There are 10 ventral cirri, 7 of which are on or near the frontal border and 3 near the right edge. There are 5 posterior cirri and 4 anal cirri, of much smaller size. The cirri may or may not be fimbriated, the latter condition indicating the approaching disintegration of the body and is abnormal. The macronucleus is long and band-formed or horseshoe shape. The contractile vacuole lies on the right side dorsal to the posterior cirri.

Fresh and salt water. Length 45µ; diameter 25µ.

Euplotes harpa Stein. Fig. 53.

The body is elongate, oval, somewhat widened anteriorly, and has rounded ends. The frontal margin is three-toothed. Ten ventral cirri. Dorsal surface provided with 8 longitudinal markings. The peristome is long and broad, with considerable variation. The adoral zone consists of powerful membranelles arranged in a continuous curve from the mouth to the extreme right frontal margin. Seven of the 10 ventral cirri are situated at the anterior extremity; the remainder are arranged in a triangle on the right edge. The anal cirri, 5 in number, are long and stiff; the marginal cirri smaller and finer. The nucleus and contractile vacuole are similar to those of the preceding species.

Length 95µ; width 54µ.

Genus DIOPHRYS Dujardin '41.

(Bütschli '88.)

Medium size, colorless to yellow, rigid in form. The body contour is oval, the anterior end being rounded or slightly reduced, the posterior end usually cut in on the right side. The peristome is broad but less extensive than in _Euplotes_, and may extend beyond the middle of the body. Its right edge is convex toward the right side, extends forward and does not turn again to the right. The anterior ventral surface has 7 to 8 scattered cirri and just behind the mouth is a transverse row of large anal cirri. In the sharp in-cut of the posterior end are three great angular cirri. Two lateral cirri are placed on the left of the median line between the mouth and the anal cirri, and usually in a slight hollow. The contractile vacuole is on the right side in the vicinity of the anal cirri. The macronucleus is in two parts, each band-form, one anterior, the other posterior in position. Movement is rapid and steady. Salt water.

Diophrys (Styloplotes) appendiculatus Stein '59. Fig. 54.

Synonyms: _Styloplotes appendiculatus_ Stein '59; Kent '81; Quennerstedt '67, etc.

The general form resembles _Euplotes_. Its outline is oval and regular except at the posterior end on the right side, where there is a considerable indentation. The frontal margin is characterized by a row of powerful membranelles, which become smaller at the peristome and at the mouth they are of characteristically small size. The ventral cirri are 7 in number. Five of them are in one row from the anterior end down the right side nearly to the anal cirri; 1 is on the frontal border between the first two; 1 lies just anterior to the second anal cirrus from the right side. The 5 anal cirri are large and powerful and extend some distance beyond the posterior end of the body. In all specimens observed these cirri curve to the left. Dorsal to the anal cirri and placed deep into the dorsal pit are 3 large, sharply curved cirri, which in most cases are fimbriated, but when the specimens are normal these are pointed and curve abruptly to the right. Two smaller cirri lie to the left of the group of anal cirri. The peristome is well-marked by the adoral zone, and upon its right border there is a row of cilia, and a similar row of cilia runs along the base of the oral membranelle. The macronucleus is double and consists of two elongate cylindrical masses lying parallel with one another. One of these is in the anterior region; the other is posterior. The contractile vacuole lies dorsal to the anal cirri and anterior to the three dorsal cirri. The movement and general activities resemble those of _Euplotes_.

Length 50µ; diameter 25µ.

Genus URONYCHIA Stein '52.

(Stein '59, '67; Quennerstedt '67; Kent '81; Bütschli '88.)

Medium-sized colorless ciliates of usually constant body form. The body is somewhat short and oval in outline. The anterior end is broadly truncate, the posterior end rounded or slightly pointed. The ventral and dorsal surfaces are considerably arched and the latter usually has a number of rows of longitudinal stripes. The open peristome is broad and reaches back to the middle of the ventral surface and beyond. According to Stein, the two edges can approach each other, thus opening and closing the peristomial area. Its right edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in the genus _Euplotes_, and the left edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in that genus. The left edge also appears to cover over the adoral zone slightly. There are no ventral cirri in front, but on the posterior ventral surface are 7 great springing cirri. Five of these are inserted on the right aide in a deep in-sinking, and the other 2 in a similar depression on the left ventral surface. Above the 5 right-side cirri, _i.e._, dorsal to them, but in the same depression, are 3 angular cirri. A few edge cirri are found to the left of them and another to the right of the 5 cirri. The contractile vacuole is on the left side between the main groups of cirri. The macronucleus is band-form or spherical, and is situated in the middle region of the body. Movement consists in forward swimming with sudden springs.

Salt water.

Uronychia setigera, n. sp. Fig. 55.

This species is very common in the Woods Hole waters. It is small, colorless, and very active. The most characteristic feature is the posterior end with its relatively enormous cirri, which are apparently large enough for an animal four times its size. The form is ovoid, widened posteriorly.

The ventral surface is flat and has two excavations in the posterior end. The right hollow is larger and contains 5 great cirri of unequal size, the extreme right one being the largest. The left hollow contains 2 cirri, also of dissimilar size. Dorsal to the 5 right cirri are 3 sickle-formed cirri, which are usually fimbriated. These are pointed and curve regularly to the left. The peristome is wide and open, and a small pocket-like hollow on its left border indicates the region of the mouth. The adoral zone runs into this pocket and the mouth is located in its lower right-hand corner. In _U. transfuga_ the right border is generally described as having a membrane of extreme delicacy. I was unable to see such a membrane in this form, but in its place there are 2 flagella-like cirri extending from the margin of the mouth-opening into the peristome, and these vibrate slowly. I do not believe these could be the moving edge of an undulating membrane, for they are quite distinct. The macronucleus is spherical instead of band-form, and a single micronucleus is closely attached. This is unlike the European species _U. transfuga_, in which the nucleus is elongate. The contractile vacuole lies between the two sets of posterior cirri. There are no marginal folds like those of the European species.

Length 40µ; width 25µ. Common.

Genus ASPIDISCA Ehr. 1830.

(Perty '52; Cl & Lach. '58; Stein '59; Quennerstedt '65, '67, '69; Mereschowsky '79; Kent '81; Bütschli '88.)

Small, colorless, and rigid forms, with nearly circular to oval contour. The left side is usually straight, or at least but slightly convex. The right side is much more convex, and the right margin is considerably thickened. The ventral side is flat, the dorsal surface convex, with from one to several longitudinal ridges which run more or less parallel with the right edge. The peristome is limited to the left edge, where it forms a small depression which may or may not reach the anterior border, but which in no case runs around the anterior margin. The left peristome margin in some cases grows over the peristome depression toward the right, thus making a sort of cover for the peristome. In the posterior region is a deep depression, from which 5 to 12 cirri take their origin. Seven or 8 cirri are placed in the anterior half of the ventral surface and are arranged more or less in rows. The anus is on the right side in the region of the anal cirri (Stein). The contractile vacuole is generally on the right side and similarly located. The macronucleus is a horseshoe-shaped body. Movement rapid, somewhat in circles, and rather uniform.

Fresh and salt water.

Aspidisca hexeris Quennerstedt '67. Fig. 56.

The carapace is elliptical, about 1-1/2 times as long as broad, rounded at the extremities. The left border of the carapace bears a spur-like projection. The ventral cirri are short and thick, and are very characteristic of the species. When moving slowly they look much like nicely-pointed paint brushes, but when the animal is compressed they quickly become fibrillated, and then look like extremely old and worn brushes. These cirri are placed in depressions in the ventral surface and each one appears to come from a specific shoulder. At the posterior end an oblique hollow bears 6 unequal cirri placed side by side. The extreme right cirrus is the largest, and they become progressively smaller to the opposite end. Dorsal to these lies the contractile vacuole. The peristome is in the posterior half of the body and an undulating membrane extends from it into the oesophagus. The dorsal surface is longitudinally striated by 5 or 6 lines, which are usually curved. The nucleus is horseshoe-shaped and lies in the posterior half of the body. Length 68µ; diameter 48µ.

This form was incorrectly mentioned as _Mesodinium_ sp. by Peck '95:

In the figure given by Quennerstedt there are only 7 ventral cirri. In the Woods Hole form there are 8, 7 of which are anterior, 6 of them about one central one. The eighth cirrus is by itself, near the base of the largest posterior cirrus. These cirri, in spite of their size, are easily overlooked and more easily confused, but by using methylene blue they can be seen and counted.

Aspidisca polystyla Stein. Fig. 57.

This species is similar to _A. hexeris_, but is smaller, very transparent, and without the spur-like process on the left edge of the carapace. The chief difference, however, lies in the number of anal cirri. These are 10 in number and they are arranged obliquely as in the preceding species, with the largest one on the right and the smallest on the left. The ventral cirri are 8 in number, and are arranged in two rows, one of which, the right, has 4 cirri closely arranged, the other having 3 cirri close together and one at some distance, near the largest anal cirrus. The peristome, contractile vacuole, and nucleus are similar to the preceding. Length 36µ; width 22µ.

Stein assigns only 7 ventral cirri to this species, but he also describes 2 very fine bristle like cilia (p. 125) and pictures them in figs. 18, 19, 20, and 21 of his Taf. III in the same relative position as my eighth cirrus. I am positive that cilia do not occur on the ventral face of this form, and that the characteristic cirri are the sole locomotor organs.

KEY TO FAMILIES OF PERITRICHIDA.

a. Peristome drawn out into Family _Spirochonidæ_ funnel-like process; parasitic

b. Adoral zone and circlet of cilia Family _Lichnophoridæ_ at opposite end. Adoral zone (one genus, *_Lichnophora_) left-wound. Parasitic.

c. Adoral zone a left-wound spiral. Family _Vorticellidæ_ Attached or unattached forms.

* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.

Genus LICHNOPHORA Claparède '67.

(Gruber '84; Fabre-Domergue '88; Bütschli '88; Wallengren '94; Stevens 1901.)

Small or medium-sized colorless animals, extremely elastic and flexible. The anterior part, bearing the adoral zone, is round or oval in ventral view, and has a flat ventral and a highly arched dorsal surface. The posterior end of the animal is reduced to a stalk-like structure which is broadened at the extremity to form a sucking disk. The surface of this disk and the surface of the peristome may be brought into the same plane by the characteristic bending of the stalk portion. A ciliated girdle is placed at the edge of the sucking disk. A well-developed adoral zone incloses the peristome; it begins at the mouth on the left side and includes nearly all of the peristome in its left-wound spiral, the extremity approaching closely the end near the mouth. The macronucleus is a long-beaded structure, or it may be in several parts connected by strands (Gruber). The contractile vacuole is on the left side in the region of the mouth. Salt water.

Lichnophora macfarlandi Stevens. Fig. 58.