Heliozoans and Suctorians

Heliozoans

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Heliozoa

Heliozoans are microscopic protozoans that possess  firm projections (Axopods) that radiate outward from the cell surface. They feed on a variety of ciliates and other small invertebrates. Prey stick to the axopods and afterwards a pseudopodium forms a food vacuole around them.

 

1. Actinophrys

 

 

Actinophrys, with a cell body about 100 microns in diameter, is characterized by axopods that taper to a fine pointed tip. The heliozoan has a visible round, centrally located nucleus. Clear food vacuoles are visible along the inside of the cell membrane. A contractile vacuole is visible as a clear bubble next to the cell membrane. They feed for the most part on small protozoans.

 

http://vimeo.com/86060374 (Zottoli) (Actinophrys)

 

 

2.Actinosphaerium

  

Actinospherium , with a cell body about 400 microns wide, is characterized by a peripheral layer of large, rounded vacuoles. The multinucleated cells have a number of axopods that taper from the base to the tip, radiating from the cell surface. Both unicellular green flagellates and small rotifers were identified in food vacuoles.

 

http://vimeo.com/86061188 ( Zottoli) (Actinospherium)

 

  

3.Raphidocystis

  

Raphidocystis, with a cell body less than 100 microns wide, is characterized by flat scales that cover the cell body and axopds that have parallel sides (not tapered) and are trumpet-shaped (Note how the tip looks like the flared outer portion of a trumpet)

 

http://vimeo.com/86057991 (Zottoli)(Raphidocystis)

  

 

Suctoria

 http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Suctoria

Podophyra

  

Suctorians belong to a group of ciliates that have lost all cilia during early development and have become permanently attached to the substratum by means of a non-contractile stalk. The cell body, about 60 microns in diameter has numerous, long, tubular tentacles each with a rounded tip. Each tentacle has a “mouth”. Tentacles capture prey (Ciliates, flagellates, small rotifers, etc.), immediately immobilize them, and then suck out the insides of their prey.

 

http://vimeo.com/86057990 (Zottoli) (Podophyra)