The Fine Structure of the Scopula-Stalk Region of Vorticella convallaria

• Published in: The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology 1997-09, Vol.44 (5), p.457-466
• Main Authors: WIBEL, RON, VACCHIANO, EMANUEL J., MACIEJEWSKI, JOHN J., BUHSE Jr, HOWARD E., CLAMP, JOHN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aboral; Biological and medical sciences; coated vesicle; cupola; exocytosis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Protozoa; scopular granules; scopular lip; Systematics. Geographical distribution. Morphology. Cytology; telotroch; Vorticella convallaria
• ISSN: 1066-5234; 1550-7408
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1997.tb05724.x

We examined by SEM and TEM the stalk‐scopular junction, the stalk, and stalk formation in Vorticella convallaria Linnaeus, 1767. The stalk sheath is anchored to the walls of the scopular lip and to the scopular cilia by thin fibrils. Experimental extraction of these fibrils weakens this junction enough to separate the stalk from the cell body. Telotrochs escape from the stalk by means of violent contractions of the cell body, accelerated beating of the trochal band cilia, and twisting of the cell body against the stalk. The edges of the scopular lip spread over the scopular cilia after escape and, in some cases, fuse to enclose the entire, aboral scopular surface in a cupola‐like structure. The sessile cells contain fewer and smaller scopular granules than telotrochs. The presence of disintegrating scopular granules in the stalk matrix of some sessile cells suggests that they contain material which is secreted over a period of time to form the stalk. Eruptive formation of the initial adhesive pad and quick elongation of the distal part of the stalk suggests a rapid exocytosis of the larger, more numerous granules of the telotroch. The stalk sheath is formed of fibrils making up complete and incomplete compartments peripherally arranged along the major stalk axis.