How Single Cells Form Shells: Maturation and Secretion of Lorica-Forming Material in the Tintinnid Schmidingerella (Alveolata, Ciliophora).

ABSTRACT: Tintinnid ciliates are distinguished by their loricae (shells), the key synapomorphy of these mainly marine planktonic protists. They can divide daily, with a considerable portion of biomass stored in the loricae. During each division, lorica-forming material (LFM) is produced and afterwards used by the proter (anterior division product) to construct a new lorica, while the opisthe (posterior division product) retains the parental one. Many aspects of lorica formation remain unclear, and no study describes the entire process from material maturation via secretion to assembly. Here, we present the first thorough investigation at cellular and sub-cellular levels, employing light microscopy on dividers and postdividers, as well as transmission electron microscopy on primarily cryofixed specim

SUBMITTER: Ganser MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12235346 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature