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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 4715

A.P. Mylnikov; Ultrastructure of a Colourless Flagellate, Phyllomitus apiculatus Skuja 1948 (Kinetoplastida). Arch.Protistenk 132:1-10, 1986

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The ultrastructure of a colourless predatory flagellate Phyllomitus apiculatus was studied. Outwardly the cell is covered with a layer of compact glycocalyx. Under the cell membrane there is a system of pellicular microtubules linked by bridges. The flagellar kinetosomes give off two bands consisting of 3 and 5 microtubules, and one S-shaped band of 6-7 microtubules. The two heterodynamic flagella have paraxial rods and bear fine unbranched mastigonemes. The flagellar kinetosomes lie parallel to each other and are connected by amorphous material. Food ingestion occurs by a tubular cytopharynx. The flagellar pocket and the cytopharynx are covered with thin hairs similar to flagellar mastigonemes. The vesicular nucleus contains a complexly structured nucleolus. The nuclear chromatin is inconspicuous. The Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, and contractile vacuole are of the usual structure. There is apparently a single branched mitochondrion with lamellar cristae. Kinetoplast-like parts of the mitochondrion are found in degraded individuals. In the cytoplasm, there are tubular mucocysts with amorphous contents and endoplasmic bacteria. The peculiarities of the ultrastructure of Ph. apiculatus confirm that this species belongs to the kinetoplastids.