Stylonychia uses its cirri to run across a surface as well as for propelling itself through the water. They are a common inhabitant of ponds, where they prey on smaller organisms. They eat bacteria, phytoplankton and small ciliates.
- How does Stylonychia reproduce?
- Where does Stylonychia live?
- How many cells make up a Vorticella organism?
How does Stylonychia reproduce?
During sexual reproduction (conjugation), which is induced by mixing ciliates of two different mating types, a new mac is generated from a micronuclear derivative.
Where does Stylonychia live?
Species of Stylonychia are very common in fresh water and soil, and may be found on filamentous algae, surface films, and among particles of sediment. Stylonychia can also be found swimming on and through decaying vegetation and pond scum floating through the water.
How many cells make up a Vorticella organism?
When the vorticella is contracted the stalk thread is shortened, and the sheath is coiled like a corkscrew. Vorticellas reproduce by longitudinal fission. One of the two daughter cells retains the original stalk; the other grows a temporary wreath of cilia at the aboral end and migrates.