Ref ID : 3728
H. Winet and A.R. Jones; Mucocysts in the Heterotrich Ciliate Spirostomum. J.Protozool. 22(2):293-296, 1975
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Mucus-like secretions by Spirostomum are demonstrated by a combination of anatomic and hydrodynamic technics whereby the presence of mucocysts and trails formed by their secretions can be shown. The mucocysts in this heterotrich differ somewhat in form and content from those reported for hymenostomes. It is suggested that the mucus-like secretions aid in lubrication when the ciliate swims near a solid boundary and reduce unsteady hydrodynamic effects when the organism swims in unobstructed fluid.