The Fine Structure of the Colonial Colorless Flagellates Rhipidodendron splendidum Stein and Spongomonas uvella Stein with Special Reference to the Flagellar Apparatus

SYNOPSIS. The cell structure of the colorless colonial flagellates Rhipidodendron splendidum Stein and Spongomonas uvella Stein has been examined by electron microscopy to assertain their phylogenetic affinities. The cylindrical cells of R. splendidum have 2 smooth flagella of equal length, an asymmetrical flagellar pocket supported by microtubules, and a curved pit between the latter and an anterior prolongation of the cell. The matrix of the branched tubes comprising the fanshaped colony is composed largely of dense spherules which are produced in special cytoplasmic vesicles some of which contain symbiotic bacteria. The anterior nucleus has a flattened sac pressed closely against its posterior end. The sac has a long tail extending deep into the cytoplasm, a single bounding membrane and homogeneous contents. Several types of vesicle are described but food vacuoles and contractile vacuoles could not be positively identified. A kinetoplast mitochondrion is not present. The various cross-banded, microtubular and amorphous components of the complex and highly asymmetrical flagellar root system are described in detail and a 3-dimensional reconstruction is provided.
The ovoid cells of S. uvella are basically similar to those of R. splendidum ; though a nuclear sac is missing, there are some detailed differences in the structure of the flagellar root system, and bacteria are never present in the vesicles producing the matrix granules. Notwithstanding much similarity, Rhipidodendron is not combined with Spongomonas because of the basic difference in colony structure.
The possible relationships of R. splendidum and S. uvella with other groups are examined and it is concluded that they cannot be considered as colorless chrysomonads as previously thought or considered to be related to any of the other orders comprising the class Phytomastigophorea. They do not, however, appear to be related to any of the orders at present comprising the Zoomastigophorea.     

Observations on the Fine Structure of the Zoospore and Young Germling of Stigeoclonium

The paper illustrates the application of some recent technicalimprovements in thin sectioning to unusually favourable material.By means of lead-stained sections of osmic-fixed material embeddedin epon, much new information regarding the fine structure ofthe flagellar apparatus, including in particular the flagellar‘roots’ and flagellar bases, has been provided.The sinking in of the flagellar apparatus after secretion ofa cell wall has been traced in outline, together with the persistenceof parts of the flagellar bases into the two-celled germlingin a manner suggesting a centrosomal function. Other observationsinclude details of the structure and arrangement of endoplasmicreticulum in swimming cells as seen in serial sections afterboth osmic and permanganate fixation, some preliminary observationson rearrangement in position of this component in the earlystages of germination, observations on the contractile vacuolesand on the special type of ‘hairy’ vesicle associatedwith them, on the Golgi bodies in both swimming and settledcells, on the distribution of ribosomes in relation to plastids,flagellar bases, the nuclear envelope, &c., and on the contents,distribution, and possible nature of various types of vesicles,including the pigment chambers of the eye-spot, vesicular derivativesof Golgi bodies, and vesicles beneath the plasmalemma in swimmingcells from which the first components of the cell wall are believedto be liberated. This work is being continued.     

On the Fine Structure of Valvognathia pogonostoma gen. et sp.n. (Gnathostomulida, Onychognathiidae) with Special Reference to the Jaw Apparatus

Valvognathia pogonostoma gen. et sp.n. is described as belonging to the family Onychognathiidae Sterrer, 1972. An integrated picture of the jaw apparatus is presented, based on interference phase contrast (Nomarski) and electron microscopy. The teeth are shown to be continuous with lamellae, apophyses, fibulae, and even jugum. These structures are all extracellular secretions covering the apical surfaces of the jaw apparatus epithelium. They constitute a single, interconnected, cuticular structure. Spiral-ciliary-organs and rhabditoid organelles are described in the epidermis.     

Fine Structural Observations on the Turbellarians Stenostomum sp. and Microstomum lineare with Special Reference to the Extracellular Matrix and Connective Tissue Systems

Employing transmission electron microscopy, observations were made on epidermis, muscle cells and connective tissue systems, with special emphasis on extracellular matrix components (ECM), in two rather primitive turbellarians: Stenostomum sp. (Catenulida) and Microstomum lineare (Macrostomida). In Stenostomum the only ECM components found are basal laminae, predominantly situated subepidermally. In Microstomum ECM is well developed and connective tissue filaments abundant in conspicuous extracellular spaces. It is uncertain whether basal laminae exist. The finding of basal lamina structures as the only ECM component present in Stenostomum makes it now possible to establish a complete ECM and connective tissue hierarchy in turbellarians, ranging from a purely cellular type with no ECM present to systems dominated by ECM and very similar to loose connective tissue in vertebrates. Comparative aspects of ECM and connective tissue systems in turbellarians are discussed in addition to the difficulties and ambiguities regarding definition and nomenclature of basal matrices as basal laminae and subepidermal membranes.     

Observations on the Fine Structure of the Nuclear Apparatus of Blepharisma intermedium Bhandary (Ciliata: Spirotricha)

SYNOPSIS. An electron-microscope study of the macronucleus and the micronucleus of Blepharisma intermedium Bhandary has been made. Sections show that the macronucleus is bounded by a double membrane. Inside, there are two types of bodies: (a) small irregular bodies, from 0.05 to 0.2 μ in diameter, and (b) larger bodies, from 0.4 to 0.6 μ in diameter. The former are intrepreted as cut ends of long, branching filaments traversing the nuclear cavity in all directions. They correspond to the DNA filaments obtained by centrifugation and KCN action on the macronucleus. Each filament is made of fibrils aboue 150 Å thick. The large bodies correspond to the nucleoli; they also show a fibrillar structure. They offer the added interest of displaying dense particles, from 100 to 800 Å in size, whose nature and significance are obscure. The micro-nucleus has a double membrane, and the contents are divisible into an electron-dense network and a material of low density which fills the interstices of the network.     

Ultrastructure of the Harmful Unarmored Dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Dinophyceae) with Reference to the Apical Groove and Flagellar Apparatus

ABSTRACT. The external and internal ultrastructure of the harmful unarmored dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef has been examined with special reference to the apical groove and three‐dimensional structure of the flagellar apparatus. The apical groove is U‐shaped and connected to the anterior sulcal extension on the dorsal side of the epicone. The eyespot is located dorsally and composed of two layers of globules situated within the chloroplast. A narrow invagination of the plasma membrane is associated with the eyespot. The nuclear envelope has normal nuclear pores similar to other eukaryotes but different from the Gymnodinium group with diagnostic nuclear chambers. The longitudinal and transverse basal bodies are separated by approximately 0.5–1.0 μm and interconnected directly by a striated basal body connective and indirectly by microtubular and fibrous structures. Characteristic features of the flagellar apparatus are as follows: (1) a nuclear extension projects to the R1 (longitudinal microtubular root) and is connected to the root by thin fibrous material; (2) fibrillar structures are associated with the longitudinal and transverse flagellar canal; and (3) a striated ventral connective extends toward the posterior end of the cell along the longitudinal flagellar canal. We conclude, based on both morphological and molecular evidence, that Cochlodinium is only distantly related to Gymnodinium.     

An Apparatus for the Continuous Culture of Micro-organisms on Solid Surfaces with Special Reference to Dental Plaque

In the apparatus described a multi-channel peristaltic pump is employed to supply precisely controlled amounts of two media (saliva substitute and nutrient broth) to bacterial plaques growing on extracted teeth and other surfaces, in 6 independent chambers under identical conditions. The same pump also removes waste products. A timer-controlled pneumatic switch programmes the delivery of medium as required. The assembly is compact and is sterilizable in a hospital autoclave as a complete unit. Surface cultures have been established following inoculation with both selected single strains and with mixed bacteria derived from saliva; in the latter instance, the bacterial deposits showed morphological resemblance to natural dental plaque.     

Cytochemical Nature and Fine Structure of the Gregarine Zeylanocystis burti Dissanaike, with Special Reference to Microfilaments, Microtubules and Movement

SYNOPSIS. The mature trophozoite of the acephaline gregarine Zeylanocystis burti Dissanaike, parasitic in the seminal vesicles of the Sri Lankan earthworm Pheretima peguana Rosa, was studied by cytochemical methods and by electron microscopy. Some observations were also made on gametocysts and oocysts. The trophozoite has a peculiar saucer shape, unlike other monocystid gregarines, and has marginal papillae with cytoplasmic hairs. Its fine structure conforms broadly to that of other gregarines, but differs with respect to its fibrillar organization and in some details of cytoplasmic organelle structure. The pellicle is composed of 2 parallel unit membranes elevated into a number of stumpy epicytary folds, more or less evenly distributed on both surfaces of the gregarine. Some of these are associated with adjacent accessory cells and may have a nutritive role. Bundles of fine microfilaments (5–6 nm) were detected both in the ectoplasm and deep in the endoplasm; these are possibly the main contractile elements (“myonemes”) involved in movement. Microtubules are larger (22–24 nm) and are found predominantly in papillae and cytoplasmic hairs, but extend also in small bundles beneath the pellicle—they appear to be more skeletal in nature. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of recent work on the roles of microfilaments and microtubules in nonmuscle cells. Mitochondria are located superficially and have a complex organization. The endoplasmic reticulum is poorly developed, but ribosomes are abundant. Golgi lamellae-like membranes and vesicles akin to lysosomes were observed. Typical paraglycogen granules were found together with blobs of lipid and glycogen. The nucleus had a wrinkled envelope, a homogeneous matrix, and a spherical nucleolus. A variety of staining reactions and cytochemical tests were carried out. The distribution of lipids, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, calcium, and melanin were studied. Succinate dehydrogenase was detected in mitochondria, thiamine pyrophosphatase in Golgi bodies, and acid phosphatase in lysosomes. Golgi structures were found to be chemically very complex. Gametocysts and oocysts were associated with extraneous cells which probably contribute to the formation of their walls. The gametocyst wall is thin and consists of 2 membranes of the unit type. The oocyst wall is thicker and composed of 2 chemically different layers. Telolysosomes were seen in the disorganized residual cytoplasm within gametocysts.     

Observations on the Fine Structure of the Gastric Parietal Cell of the Rat

The structure of the rat parietal cell was examined by electron microscopy. The intercellular and intracellular canalculi are lined by microvilli which are more numerous and larger than those of other gastric cells. The numerous mitochondria have closely packed cristae and a dense matrix containing opaque particles. The cytoplasmic vacuoles typical of parietal cells are part of a network of smooth surfaced tubules and vacuoles (the endoplasmic reticulum) which is intimately associated with the mitochondria and probably connected with the lumen of the canaliculi. Only a few dense particles are found attached to the surface of these tubules. The structure of the parietal cell is compared with that of other cells whose function also is transport of inorganic ions and water. Evidence is presented supporting the hypothesis that parietal cells differentiate from a less structurally specialized cell in the neck region of the gastric gland.     

The Fine Structure of Conidia of Botryodiplodia ricinicola with Observations on Effects of Chilling

Conidia of Botryodiplodia ricinicola (Saccardo) Petrak havebeen studied, principally by freeze-etch electron microscopy.Freshly harvested conidia have a thin scaly surface layer, freeof rodlets, which covers an otherwise homogeneous-looking wallwhich is continuous with the single centrally-perforate septum.The contours of the plasmalemma are usually smooth. Nuclei andsmall vacuoles are numerous. Hydrophobic fracture faces of theplasmalemma, tonoplasts and nuclear membranes variously revealintra-membrane particles or corresponding depressions or both.Lipid inclusions are small and numerous. Compact orderly stacksof membranes are present, sometimes one in each locule of theconidium. Conidia of a strain insensitive to chilling were seento differ only in respect of the distribution of intra-membraneparticles on fracture faces of tonoplasts. Chilled and chilled-and-soakedconidia of the wild type showed fine-structural differencesfrom untreated conidia, most obviously in respect of the greatersize of some of the lipid inclusions, but also in respect offeatures of the plasmalemma which after chilling contained plasmalemmasomesand, after subsequent immersion for 15 min, showed annular depressions.Also, intra-membrane particles in some membrane systems showedaltered distribution between the two hydrophobic fracture faces.It is concluded that cell lipids and cytoplasmic membrane systemsmay be involved in the previously demonstrated chilling sensitivityof conidia of this species. Botryodiplodia ricinicola, conidia, ultrastructure, chilling effects