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Fig. 29.— Lacrymaria coronata. [ ENLARGE ] |
Synonyms: L. lagenula Cohn '66; Möbius '88; L. cohnii ? Kent '81; L. versatilis Quen. '67.
Form flask-like and similar to L. lagenula, contractile but tough. The contractile vacuole is terminal, the proboscis is short, slightly raised and separated from the body by a deep cleft; the buccal cilia are inserted part way up on the proboscis. Form changeable, from short, sac-like to elongate and vermiform. Length 85µ.
This species is not very different from L. lagenula, but I noted that in addition to the elongate nucleus, the body striæ are much more apparent here and seem to sink into the cuticle, giving the periphery, especially at the collar region, a curious crenulated effect. The endoplasm is very densely granular and colored a blue-green, probably from food particles. The number of striæ is much larger than in the preceding species. The membrane is very tough and retains the shape of the body, even with the full pressure of the cover glass. Micronucleus and trichocysts were not observed.
Genus TRACHELOCERCA (Ehr. '83) Cohn '66.
(Quennerstedt '67; Gruber '87; Entz '84; Kent '81; Gourret & Roeser '88;
Bütschli '88; Schewiakoff '89; Shevyakov '96.)
The only well-known representative is very elongate, large (up to 3 mm. Van Beneden), and very contractile. The main feature of importance in distinguishing it is the 4-part structure of the mouth region, which, however, may not be obvious. Pharynx faint and smooth. Contractile vacuole terminal. Macronucleus in one central body or in numerous pieces scattered throughout the cell. Salt water.
Trachelocerca phœnicopterus Cohn '66. Fig. 30.