Conjugation in the spirotrich ciliate Halteria grandinella (Muller, 1773) Dujardin, 1841 (Protozoa, Ciliophora) and its phylogenetic implications.

ABSTRACT: The conjugation of Halteria grandinella was studied in protargol preparations. The isogamontic conjugants fuse partially with their ventral sides to a homopolar pair. The first maturation division generates dramatic transformations: (i) the partners obtain an interlocking arrangement; (ii) the number of bristle kineties decreases from seven to four in each partner; and (iii) the right conjugant loses its buccal membranelles, the left the whole adoral zone. The remaining collar membranelles arrange around the pair's anterior end and are shared by both partners; finally, the couple resembles a vegetative specimen in size and outline. The vegetative macronucleus fragments before pycnosis. The micronucleus performs three maturation divisions, but only one derivative each performs the second an

SUBMITTER: Agatha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2847824 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature