portrait
Olisthodiscus (owe-liss-tho-disc-us), a raphidiophyte - a type of stramenopile. Some raphidophytes contribute to toxic algal blooms. Olisthodiscus has multiple plastids containing chlorophylls a and c and have a yellowy colour. Sometimes found in large numbers. With two flagella inserting near the apex of the cell. Glides. Phase contrast. This picture was taken by David Patterson, Linda Amaral Zettler and Virginia Edgcomb of materials from sediments of the marine site, Eel Pond in Austumn 2000, spring and summer 2001. Image copyright: D. J. Patterson, L. Amaral-Zettler and V. Edgcomb, image used under license to MBL (micro*scope).
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Olisthodiscus
From the collection
Eel Pond, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| Description of Olisthodiscus: Cells discoid in ventral view; pronouncedly flattened dorsiventrally with dorsal surface concave and ventral surface convex, giving a structure resembling a saddle or a turtle's carapace; flagella arise from a shallow groove on the ventral surface; anterior flagellum somewhat longer than the cell, trailing flagellum is shorter, being of the same length as the cell or less; the beat of the anterior flagellum causes cell to move forward smoothly, without rotation; discoid chloroplasts, 5-13 in number with 6 being common, in peripheral layer, yellowish-green in colour; mucocysts absent. |
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