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.


Fig. 50.—
Epiclintes radiosa.
[ ENLARGE ]

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 zooglœa, 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.