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Ultrastructural studies of the commensal suctorian, Choanophyra infundibulifera hartog

I. Tentacle structure, movement and feeding

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Summary

Tentacle structure, movement and feeding of the commensal suctorian Choanophrya infundibulifera have been examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The tentacles possess a flattened tip and rounded shaft externally, with a neck and root region internally. There is a microtubule canal consisting of 150 ring microtubules within which are 20–35 curved lamellae each containing about 20 microtubules. Novel structural features include pairs of short oblique arranged microtubules at the tip, and a collar of epiplasm in the neck region. No haptocysts are found in Choanophrya but the tentacle cytoplasm contains two types of inclusions named solenocysts and spherical vesicles. These features are discussed in relation to the processes of tentacle movement and feeding. The rapid longitudinal movements of the tentacles are described and compared to those of other suctorians and possible mechanisms are suggested. Ingestion in Choanophrya is described and several theories involving tentacle microtubules in the feeding process are examined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cytology Unit, Departments of Botany and Zoology, University of Manchester, UK

    E. Trevor Hitchen & Ronald D. Butler

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Wolverhampton Polytechnic, WV1 1LY, Wolverhampton, England

    E. Trevor Hitchen

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  1. E. Trevor Hitchen
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  2. Ronald D. Butler
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This investigation was supported by the J.S. Dunkerley Fellowship in Protozoology, awarded by the University of Manchester.

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Hitchen, E.T., Butler, R.D. Ultrastructural studies of the commensal suctorian, Choanophyra infundibulifera hartog. Z.Zellforsch 144, 37–57 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306685

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306685

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