Drawing
Acanthoeca spectabilis Ellis, 1930. Cells are 3.5-5 microns in length, elongate with a pointed posterior, and fit closely to the main chamber of the lorica. Electron microscopy reveals that these cells are enclosed by fibrous material. The pseudopodial collar is shorter than the cell and the flagellum projects slightly from the top of the lorica. The main chamber of the lorica is conical and tapers posteriorly, giving rise to a pedicel. Costae in the main chamber give rise to longitudinal spines anteriorly. Fibres were present and arranged in the same pattern as costal strips in normal cells, except that, being less rigid, the spines are irregular and crumpled. The conical shape of the main chamber and the pedicel appears to be maintained by a membranous structure in the cells with a fibrous lorica. This is one of about 700 species of heterotrophic flagellates reported from marine environments. This information has been compiled by Won Je Lee (then of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, A Image copyright: Won-Je Lee, image used under license to MBL (micro*scope).
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Acanthoeca spectabilis
From the collection
Heterotrophic flagellates of marine habitats
| Description of Acanthoeca spectabilis: Cells are 3.5-5 microns in length, elongate with a pointed posterior, and fit closely to the main chamber of the lorica. Electron microscopy reveals that these cells are enclosed by fibrous material. The pseudopodial collar is shorter than the cell and the flagellum projects slightly from the top of the lorica. The main chamber of the lorica is conical and tapers posteriorly, giving rise to a pedicel. Costae in the main chamber give rise to longitudinal spines anteriorly. Fibres were present and arranged in the same pattern as costal strips in normal cells, except that, being less rigid, the 'spines' are irregular and crumpled. The conical shape of the main chamber and the pedicel appears to be maintained by a membranous structure in the cells with a fibrous lorica. |
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