Vorticella convallaria
Encyclopedia
Vorticella convallaria is a protozoa
n, the type species
of the genus Vorticella
. It resembles V. campanula
, but differs in being somewhat narrow in the anterior end and usually having no refractile granules in the endoplasm
.
The cell body of this species is 50-95 μm
long and 35-53 μm wide. The peristome
ranges from 55-75 μm in diameter. The rod-like, contractile stalk is 25-300 μm long and 4 μm wide. It can collapse into a tightly coiled helix
in less than 1/60th of a second.
Protozoa
Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cells eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like behavior, e.g., movement...
n, the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of the genus Vorticella
Vorticella
Vorticella is a genus of protozoa, with over 16 known species. They are stalked inverted bell-shaped ciliates, placed among the peritrichs. Each cell has a separate stalk anchored onto the substrate, which contains a contractile fibril called a myoneme. When stimulated this shortens, causing the...
. It resembles V. campanula
Vorticella campanula
Vorticella campanula is found in freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams with aquatic vegetation. It has a global distribution. Vorticella campanula is solitary and not colonial but usually social, several of them being found together. Vorticella campanula is a sedentary form...
, but differs in being somewhat narrow in the anterior end and usually having no refractile granules in the endoplasm
Endoplasm
Endoplasm generally refers to the inner part of a cell's cytoplasm. This is opposed to the ectoplasm which is the outer layer of the cytoplasm....
.
The cell body of this species is 50-95 μm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
long and 35-53 μm wide. The peristome
Peristome
The word peristome is derived from the Greek peri, meaning 'around' or 'about', and stoma, 'mouth'. It is a term used to describe various anatomical features that surround an opening to an organ or structure. The term is used in plants and invertebrate animals, such as in describing the shells of...
ranges from 55-75 μm in diameter. The rod-like, contractile stalk is 25-300 μm long and 4 μm wide. It can collapse into a tightly coiled helix
Helix
A helix is a type of smooth space curve, i.e. a curve in three-dimensional space. It has the property that the tangent line at any point makes a constant angle with a fixed line called the axis. Examples of helixes are coil springs and the handrails of spiral staircases. A "filled-in" helix – for...
in less than 1/60th of a second.
Further reading
- Maciejewski, J.J., E.J. Vacchiano, S.M. McCutcheon & H.E. Buhse, Jr. 1999. Cloning and Expression of a cDNA Encoding a Vorticella convallaria Spasmin: an EF-Hand Calcium-Binding Protein. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 46(2): 165–173.
- Sallaq, R., D.H. van Winkle & J. Cao 2003. Determination of velocity, acceleration,and forces in the contraction of Vorticella convallaria. American Physical Society, Annual APS March Meeting 2003, March 3-7, 2003. Abstract #Y9.001
- Shiono, H. & Y. Naitoh 1997. Journal of Experimental Biology 200(16): 2249–2261.
- Vacchiano, E., A. Dreisbach, D. Locascio, L. Castaneda, T. Vivian & H.E. Buhse, Jr. 1992. Morphogenetic Transitions and Cytoskeletal Elements of the Stalked Zooid and the Telotroch Stages in the Peritrich Ciliate Vorticella convallaria. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 39(1): 101–106.
- Wibel, R., E.J. Vacchiano & H.E. Buhse, Jr. 1993. Ultrastructural Study of the Cortex and Membrane Skeleton of Vorticella convallaria (Ciliophora: Peritricha). Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 112(2): 107–120.