Ciliate emerging from sac

[macnmotion]

I captured a ciliate emerging from some type of sac. Can anyone explain what I witnessed? You'll see the organism emerge completely at the end of the video. 40x objective, and FF sensor crop factor set to 1.5x.

https://youtu.be/4HtPIXjU7Yg

[macnmotion]

Someone suggested to me that the ciliate was just hanging out and eating inside the empty husk of another microorganism, and left while I was taking this video. Does that sound right?

[xioz]

Probably more likely. You would have to observe different stages of the activity with multiple organisms in the sample to find out more.

[MichaelG.]

Interesting video !

It looks like a chance encounter … until that very last moment: when it gets out and the sac closes behind it.

Difficult to comprehend the mechanics of how it got in.

MichaelG.

[macnmotion]

I learned more today and now know what this is. The organism is a single cell ciliate called Maryna. The "shell" around it is called a Lorica, it's a gelatinous tubular structure secreted by the Maryna as a form of protection. The top end of the Lorica remains open so that the Maryna can poke its mouth out to feed on bacteria. It may have been bothered by the microscope's light, or by something in the water, causing it to leave its Lorica. The good news is that it can build a new Lorica whenever it wants.

This Maryna is about 40x60 microns in size. Imaged with a 40x objective and the full frame sensor of the camera cropped by 1.5x.

[MichaelG.]

Excellent … thanks for sharing your findings

MichaelG.

[xioz]

Yes, thank you for the update. Learn more every day!