micro*scope - version 6.0

Litonotus (light-o-note-us) is one of the more commonly encountered predatory ciliates. Scyth-shaped, and flattened. The mouth is located on the convex curve of the anterior part of the body (upper right in the picture). The food is captured in part by the action of rod-shaped extrusomes which can be seen just inside the cell adjacent to the mouth. The large structure near the centre of the cell is the macronucleus. The light region towards the rear is the contractile vacuole. Cilia cover the body in sparse kineties. Phase contrast. This picture was taken by Linda Amaral Zettler, and David Patterson of material from the freshwater Lamont Pond (New York State, USA). Image copyright: L Amaral-Zettler and D. J. Patterson, image used under license to MBL (micro*scope).

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Litonotus

From the collection Lamont Pond, freshwater, New York

Description of Litonotus: Predatory ciliate, flattened and somewhat sigmoid being broad in middle and tapering to the poles. About one third of the body is contractile. Right side flat, left side slightly to strongly convex in middle depending on nutritional state. Mouth located along the anterior margin extending from anterior pointed pole to near the middle of the cell. Macronucleus usually in segments. Contractile vacuole subterminal, located close to dorsal margin of body. Extrusomes 5 microns long, gently curved. Cortex and endoplasm colourless. Movement a slow gliding, very flexible, amongst detritus.

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Litonotus in other collections

Litonotus cygnus, from Freshwater and Terrestrial Microbes of Idaho (USA) and Elsewhere	Litonotus, from Freshwater and Terrestrial Microbes of Idaho (USA) and Elsewhere	Litonotus, from Freshwater and Terrestrial Microbes of Idaho (USA) and Elsewhere	Litonotus carinatus, from Protozoan biomonitors in China	Litonotus cygnus, from Protozoan biomonitors in China
Litonotus fasciola, from Protozoan biomonitors in China	Litonotus lamella, from Protozoan biomonitors in China	Litonotus obtusus, from Protozoan biomonitors in China	Litonotus, from Microbes of Convict Lake	Litonotus, from Microbes of Mammoth Lake
Litonotus, from Protsville drawings of freshwater protists	Litonotus, from Gems from Tvärminne	Litonotus fasciola, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1889	Litonotus fasciola, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1889	Litonotus fasciola, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1889
Litonotus folium, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus folium, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus fasciola, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus fasciola, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus lamella, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896
Litonotus varsoviensis, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus diaphanes, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus grandis, from Images from Schewiakoff, 1896	Litonotus lamella, from Ciliates from Ehrenberg -- 1838	Litonotus fasciola, from Ciliates from Ehrenberg -- 1838
Litonotus fasciola, from Ciliates from Ehrenberg -- 1838	Litonotus fasciola, from Ciliates from Ehrenberg -- 1838	Litonotus, from Freshwater and Terrestrial Microbes of Idaho (USA) and Elsewhere	Litonotus, from Ciliates at Yellowstone	Litonotus, from Little Sippewissett salt marsh, Massachusetts, USA
Litonotus, from Lake Toolik, Arctic Alaska	Litonotus, from Lake Donghu, China

micro*scope - version 6.0 - March, 2006
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