Phylum Ciliophora
Characteristics
- Most unicellular; some colonial
- Cilia used for locomotion
- Body shape maintained by protein-fibrous pellicle
- Have both macro- and micronuclei
- Most with cytostome (=cell mouth)
- Reproduce asexually (fission) or via conjugation
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Acineta sp., a Suctorian that lost cilia as adult
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Paramecium caudatum, 400x
See also labeled photo.
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Blepharisma sp., 400x
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Euplotes sp., 400x
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Didinium sp., 400x
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Stentor coeruleus, 200x
See also labeled photo.
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Vorticella sp., a stalked ciliate; 400x
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Phylum Dinoflagellata (Dinozoa)
The Dinoflagellate, Peridinium sp.; 400x
See also labeled photo. |
Characteristics
- Two flagella in grooves: one transverse, one longitudinal
- Both photosynthetic and hetertrophic forms; many can switch
- Some are bioluminescent
- Most are unicellular, but some form colonies
- Population booms cause "red tides"
- Many photosynthetic forms are endosymbiotic in other protozoans and animals such as corals
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Phylum Apicomplexa
Monocystis lumbrici sporocyst and spores; a gregarine found in the seminal vesicles of earthworms; feeds on sperm; 400x
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Characteristics
- Unique apical complex (not visible with light microscope)
- Lack cilia, flagella, pseudopods
- All are parasitic
- Gregarines infect various invertebrates
- Coccidians infect mostly vertebrates
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Phylum Parabasila
(Since termite symbionts were not available in lab, you will not be responsible for this phylum)
Trichonympha sp., an endosymbiote found in the guts of termites where it digests wood; stained whole mount; 200x
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Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite in human urogential tracts; stained whole mount; 400x
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Characteristics
- Multiple flagella: 4 to 1000s
- Lack mitochondria
- All are endosymbionts of animals; may be beneficial or harmful
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Phylum Euglenozoa
Euglena sp.; 400x
See also labeled photo
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Characteristics
- Have 1 or 2 flagella
- Single nucleus
- Reproduce asexually (fission)
- Includes free-living and parasitic forms
- Euglenids are mostly free-living
- Have proteinaceous pellicle to hold shape
- Most are photosynthetic via secondary endosymbiosis
- Kinetopastids are mostly parasitic
- Flagellum forms edge of undulating membrane along elongted cell
- Greatly elongated mitochondrion (stained dark in photo)
- Many have complex life cycles, often with multiple hosts
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Trypanosoma rhodesiensae in blood smear; Causes African Sleeping Sickness. 1000x
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Phylum Amoebozoa (Rhizopoda)
Characteristics
- Cell surrounded by plasma membrane; some form an external test
- Pseudopodia used for locomotion
- Most free-living, but a few are endosymbiotic, either commensal or parasitic
- Reproduce asexually (fission)
- The classification of ameboid protozoans remains controversial
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Amoeba proteus; 100x
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Chaos carolinensis (a.k.a. Pelomyxa carolinensis), 100x
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Difflugia sp., an amoeba with a test composed of mineral grains; 400x
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Phylum Granuloreticulosa (Foraminifera)
Foraminiferan "strew" (tests); 100x
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Characteristics
- External test (skeleton), usually of calcite (CaCO3)
- Tests usually a series of chambers of increasing size
- Tests have 1 or 2 holes through which pseudopods are extended
- Heterotrophic, but some have symbiotic algae
- Marine
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Phylum Radiozoa (Radiolaria)
Radiolarian "strew" (tests); 100x
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Characteristics
- Limited to no locomotion
- Internal siliceous skeleton; typically with elaborate structure
- Have axopods similar to Heliozoans, but these are not visible in dead tests
- Heterotrophic, but some have endosymbiotic dinoflagellates
- Marine waters only
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Phylum Heliozoa
Actinosphaerium sp.; 400x
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Actinophrys sp.
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Characteristics
- Spherical shape
- Have radiating axopodia (thin, straight pseudopods supported by microtubules)
- Axopodia used to capture food and for locomotion (changes in length allow them to roll)
- Outer portion of cell (ectoplasm) is rich in vacuoles used for flotation
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