Scanning Electron Microscopic Observations on the Differentiation of Cortex and Cilia during the Encystment of Allotricha curdsi (Ciliophora: Hypotrichida)

Abstract: The details of the differentiation of cortex and cilia during the encystment of the hypotrichous ciliate Allotricha curdsi were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that， during the cells transforming from the long oval shape into soccer form， the dedifferentiation of microtubular organelles on ventral side happened， meanwhile， the unit of dorsal bristle started to redifferentiation with a new cilia growing from the previously barren kinetosome. As cells contracted further， the cyst wall began to emerge and the protrusions arranged regularly on the cyst surface simultaneously. After the cyst changing from cactus-like shape to spiral-like shape， the resting cyst formed. Without improving the culturing environment， the resting cysts finally disintegrated and disappeared. The results presented in this paper provided new information for better understanding the differentiation of the cilia structure and the formation of the cytoplasm derivatives in special physiological conditions.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2012.03.0013