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; Plœsconia 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 œsophagus 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.
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Fig. 52.— Euplotes charon, dorsal and ventral aspects. [ ENLARGE ] |
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Euplotes harpa Stein. Fig. 53.
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Fig. 53.— Euplotes harpa. [ ENLARGE ] |
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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.