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Click
on images for larger format |
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Name derivation:
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Morphology:
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Relatively
large unicells, 80 μm long, 60 μm
wide. Holotrichs. |
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Similar
genera:
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Consumer of Oscillatoria: |
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Pseudomicrothorax can ingest long trichomes of Oscillatoria. Filaments of Phormidium sp. have an inducible reaction to attacks by
the ciliate. When a Pseudomicrothorax
initiates ingestion from one end of the filament, the trichome
retreats inside its sheath leaving an apparently indigestible end to the
filament. If attacked at a non-terminal
position along the filament, the trichome fragments
and the two shorter trichomes produced move in opposite directions away from
the area (Fialkowska and Pajdak-Stos 1997). Ingestion
velocity of Oscillatoria formosa
trichomes has been measured at >15 μm s-1
(Hausmann 1980). |
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Habitat:
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References:
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Fialkowska, E., and A. Pajdak-Stos 1997. Inducible defence
against a ciliate grazer, Pseudomicrothorax dubius, in two strains of Phormidium
(cyanobacteria). Proceedings of the
Royal Society of London B 264:937 – 941. Hausmann, C. 1980. Nahrungsaufnahme und Verdauung bei dem Ciliaten Pseudomicrothorax dubius. Online video. |
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