Behavior of Euplotes

Behavior of Euplotes A large ciliate called Euplotes is gathering food with the dense cilia around its mouth. Small flagellates are sucked into the mouth one by one. They are transferred to the food vacuole which already contains plenty of food. One of the caudal cirri near the rear end shows characteristic movement. At first the body seems to be flat when viewed from above. When the organism moves over to a particle, we can see it from the side. It almost lookes like a turtle holding onto the particle with its "hairy legs" (cirri).

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
It is difficult to say whether this organism is Euplotes eurystomus or E. woodruffi, because the exact shape of its nucleus cannot be identified.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

Sampling Date : 03 July 2009

Sampling Site : Hirose River B  Google Map

Euplotes： a skillful hunter

A large Euplotes ciliate has characteristic cirri at the front and rear ends of its body. By actively waving the cilia surrounding its mouth, it creates a whirlpool to attract food particles. Several prey are drawn into its mouth and transferred inside, but some manage to get free.

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
This organism is Euplotes.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

From the cell shape, it may be E. eurystomus or E. woodruffi.

To determine the species, examination of the macronucleus shape is necessary.

Sampling Date : 18 October 2009

Sampling Site : Hirose River A  Google Map