Examination of the Peritrich Ciliate Telotrochidium by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the Seattle strain of the peritrich ciliate Telotrochidium henneguyi. The animals were monoxenically propagated with Bacillus cereus in a 1:1:8 (v/v) broth prepared from proteose-peptone, cerophyl, and wheat kernels as described in previous papers. Specimens were prepared for SEM by chemical fixation-freeze dry sublimation methods. Attention was focused on the surface topography, especially the pellicular surface of the body proper, the scopular area, the peristomial cilia, and the aboral ciliary wreath. The ridges, furrows, and pores of the pellicle are described and illustrated with SEM micrographs. A pit at the aboral end called the scopular port is described and shown to contain bulbous elevations of the pellicle; each elevation marks the location of an underlying barren kinetosome.