The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta
Tontonia
Tontonia Faure-Fremiet, 1914 (ref. ID; 3420)
From Dr. Inaki
[ref. ID; 3420]
Large size (80-540 um). Deep peristome is open on the ventral side where AZM is located on the left edge. A characteristic tail is present, originating from the posterior dorsal area. It is contractile and extensible to several times the body length. All species in marine habitats. (ref. ID; 3420)
The body shape is irregularly ovoid. The characteristic tail, originating from the posterior area of the dorsal side, is mobile and contractile, a row of small bristles is present on the edge. On the ventral side a very large buccal cavity opens, the AZM is situated on the left edge and a paroral membrane lies on its right side. Four rows of short cilia are present situated longitudinally on the left lateral side of the anterior area. Each row is 30-35 um in length and 6 of these cilia are especially active. In addition on the dorsal side 3 cirri-like filaments are situated. The body is entirely covered with polygonal cortical platelets of polysaccharide, the sizes of which are 3-5 um at the anterior and 7-8 um at the posterior. Helicoid and oblique bands of trichites are found in the middle and posterior areas; size, 20 um and 60 um in length, respectively. Macronuclei are numerous, their size varies between 4-5 um. A marine species. (ref. ID; 3420)
Measurements
Length of body, 140 um; the tail, 110-400 um. (ref. ID; 3420)
The body is lemon yellow in colour and takes a conical form, bearing a thin wreath of very fine cilia in the anterior area. A peristomial field in the shape of a reversed cone is present inside the wreath. The posterior extremity displays a long whip-like tail, which can be used to move the organism very quickly. A marine species. (ref. ID; 3420)
Comments
Kahl (1932) recognized that the organism described by Lohmann (1908) was not a species of Strombidium. He transferred this ciliate with its characteristic tail to the genus Tontonia. (ref. ID; 3420)
The body shape is globular with the anterior part narrowed and bole-like, with its extremity truncated. The excavated peristomial area extends to the ventral side where lip-like protuberances are furnished longitudinally on the both its sides. The AZM is situated on the left edge of the ventral peristomial field. At the apical extremity a collar-like swelling is extended, below which approximately ten rows of cilia are located longitudinally. These cilia are fine and 15-18 um in length and are not fused membranelles, which could be used for swimming. Faure-Fremiet (1924) called these cilia a "subordinate frange". The long tail is present at the hemispherical posterior area. It is contractile and also mobile. A row of short bristles are observed on the tail, which are clearly different in structure from the bristles of T. appendiculariformis. The macronuclei are numerous, connected to each other like a string of beads. This marine planktonic species feeds on small Peridinium. (ref. ID; 3420)
Measurements
The size varies between 48-52 um without the tail. The tail may reach 250-300 um. (ref. ID; 3420)
