On the Enigmatic Hook of the Metaradiophryids (Alveolata, Ciliophora)

Klaus Hausmann; Gerd Günther; Diana Lehmann; Renate Radek

On the Enigmatic Hook of the Metaradiophryids (Alveolata, Ciliophora)

Publication date: 17.02.2016

Acta Protozoologica, 2016, Volume 55, Issue 1, pp. 1 - 5

https://doi.org/10.4467/16890027AP.16.001.4042

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Titles

On the Enigmatic Hook of the Metaradiophryids (Alveolata, Ciliophora)

Abstract

The astomatous metaradiophryids are ciliates which live endosymbiotically in earthworms (Annelida, Lumbricidae). Their prominent hook apparatus is demonstrated in detail in light micrographs of living organisms as well as in scanning electron micrographs of Parducz-fixed cells. Since it was first observed, this structure has been interpreted as a ‘holdfast’ organelle preventing ciliates from being expelled prematurely from the intestine of the worm along with its excrements. No active movement of the hook has been reported in earlier papers or in our recent studies. Nevertheless, a detailed description of different parts of the hook apparatus exists in older literature, including a hypothesis on how these elements interact with each other to function as a holdfast device – without any experimental evidence. The suspected mode of function of this structure is questioned and critically discussed.

Keywords

Astomatous ciliates, Metaradiophrya spec., hook structure, holdfast organelle

References

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Information

Information: Acta Protozoologica, 2016, Volume 55, Issue 1, pp. 1 - 5

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4467/16890027AP.16.001.4042

Article type: Original article

Authors

Klaus Hausmann

Research Group Protozoology, Institute of Biology/Zoology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Gerd Günther

Private Microscopical Laboratory, Düsseldorf, Germany

Diana Lehmann

Research Group Protozoology, Institute of Biology / Zoology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Renate Radek

Institute of Biology/Zoology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Published at: 17.02.2016

Article status: Open

Licence: None

Percentage share of authors:

Klaus Hausmann (Author) - 25%

Gerd Günther (Author) - 25%

Diana Lehmann (Author) - 25%

Renate Radek (Author) - 25%

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English

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