Trichodina, an ectoparasitic ciliate on a snail
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 9:48 pm
I recently observed a swarm of Trichodina (possibly T. pediculus) which were ectoparasitic ciliates on a small aquatic snail. These are really interesting to see, with the ring of cilia around the aboral surface of the cell and the denticles in the center as shown in the photo below. This individual had been separated from the snail so it could be viewed in more detail.
In the center of the cell, the c-shaped macronucleus can be seen, as shown in the photo below.
I am also attaching a couple of videos of this interesting ciliate. In the first one, I focused through the cell body of the Trichodina from the aboral surface with its wreath of cilia and the denticle through the macronucleus and contractile vacuole and to the top of the cell body.
The second video shows an individual feeding on the snail. The rapidly beating cilia of the aboral surface and denticles can be seen. The macronucleus in the middle of the cell is also visible.
The last video shows a number of individuals that are feeding on the snail. Although it is a little out of focus, I like it because it shows the shape of the Trichodina, one of which appears to be in division, and their rapid movement.
Pictures taken with a Canon 1300D on a Zeiss Photomicroscope III. The objective was a 40x Neofluar, optovar at 1.25x, DIC. The photos were taken with flash.
Tim
- Trichodina_1.jpg (64.62 KiB) Viewed 863 times
- Trichodina_2.jpg (46.34 KiB) Viewed 863 times
The second video shows an individual feeding on the snail. The rapidly beating cilia of the aboral surface and denticles can be seen. The macronucleus in the middle of the cell is also visible.
The last video shows a number of individuals that are feeding on the snail. Although it is a little out of focus, I like it because it shows the shape of the Trichodina, one of which appears to be in division, and their rapid movement.
Pictures taken with a Canon 1300D on a Zeiss Photomicroscope III. The objective was a 40x Neofluar, optovar at 1.25x, DIC. The photos were taken with flash.
Tim