The genus is based on a form which A. Schneider carefully investigated and considered to be the Difflugia enchelys of Ehrenberg. L. Cienkowski rediscovered this same form and created for it the genus Chlamydophrys. We agree with this view, but not with the renaming of the organism (so common at the time). If the parasite in dung, Chlamydophrys stercorea Cienk. is identical with Difflugia enchelys of Ehrenberg, the old specific name should be retained.
The genus is characterized by the possession of a hyaline, structureless, slightly flexible shell which is ovoid or reniform. At the more pointed pole there is an orifice situated terminally or somewhat laterally, serving for the emergence of the filiform pseudopodia (fig. [13], a). The protoplasm does not entirely fill the interior of the shell. An equatorial zone bearing excretory granules divides the shell internally into two almost equal portions. The anterior portion is rich in vacuoles and serves for the reception of nutriment and for digestion. The posterior part is vitreous, and contains the nucleus. One to three contractile vacuoles are situated in the equatorial zone.
Chlamydophrys enchelys, Ehrbg.
Syn.: Chlamydophrys stercorea, L. Cienkowski.
This species (fig. 13) is found in the fæces of various animals (cattle, rabbits, mice, and lizards), and also in quite fresh human fæces. According to Schaudinn, the parasite occurs so frequently in the human fæces that it must be considered of wide distribution. The species must traverse the intestine of man and animals during one stage of its life cycle, as Schaudinn showed by experiments on himself and on mice. He infected himself with cysts (fig. [14]) by swallowing them, and evacuated the first Chlamydophrys as early as the following day. After the evacuation of numerous specimens on one of the following days the infection ceased.
The nucleus of a living specimen is surrounded by a hyaline, strongly refractile chromidial mass, arranged in the form of a ring. Chromatin stains colour it darkly.
Asexual multiplication (fig. 13, b), which takes place in fæces, follows a similar course to that of allied forms (e.g., Euglypha, Centropyxis). It commences by the cytoplasm issuing from the orifice of the shell and assuming the shape characteristic of the mother organism, but in a reverse position. The nucleus then divides by mitosis, when the daughter nuclei move apart from one another. The chromidial ring also divides into two portions by a process of dumb-bell like constriction. The one daughter nucleus remains in the mother organism, the other moves towards the daughter individual, which then separates from the parent.
Fig. 13.—Chlamydophrys enchelys. a, free, motile form, showing nucleus, equatorial granules, vacuoles and pseudopodia; b, dividing organism. × 760. (After Cienkowski.)