portrait
Carpediemonas (car-ped-ee-o-moan-ass), an excavate flagellate - in that there is a ventral groove (to the right of this cell) that is used in feeding. Two flagella insert at the head of the groove. One lies within the groove and beats rapidly, the other extends forward and usually curving back over the anterior end of the cell as in this image. A flap of cytoplasm moves backwards along the groove every few seconds when cells are actively feeding. Nucleus located near the anterior pole of the cell. Phase contrast. This picture was taken by David Patterson of material from Limulus-ridden sediments at Plum Island (Massachusetts USA) in spring and summer, 2001. Image copyright: D. J. Patterson, image used under license to MBL (micro*scope).
download as pdf file
 download large file
 classification page
 comment image
|
Carpediemonas membranifera
From the collection
Plum Island, Massachusetts coast, USA
| Description of Carpediemonas membranifera: Cells are elliptical or obovate and 3 to 6 microns long with a longitudinal ventral groove, which extends most of cell length. When squashed, the cell is pliable. Two flagella unequal in length emerge from the anterior distal part of the cell; the anterior flagellum bent over backwards is as long as the cell and beats stiffly. The acronematic posterior flagellum is about 2.5 - 4 times cell length, beats actively in the ventral depression and usually lies in the depression. The cells usually move by skidding with the anterior flagellum beating with a stiff paddling motion. The cells consume bacteria. |
|
