20643581

not annotated - annotated - LINNAEUS only
Surface and flagella morphology of the motile form of Chromera velia revealed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy.

Chromera velia (Chromerida; Alveolata) is an autotrophic protist isolated from stony corals. Ch. velia possesses a chloroplast thought to be most closely related to the apicoplasts of non-photosynthetic apicomplexa. Phylogenetic analyses place Ch. velia as a close relative of parasitic apicomplexa and predatory colpodellids. We have used field-emission scanning electron microscopy of cells sputter-coated with gold or chromium and non-coated cells to characterise the surface ultrastructure of the motile form of Ch. velia. In overall morphology the biflagellated Ch. velia cells resemble the colpodellid Colpodella edax, but with some notable differences. The ventral side of the flagellated Ch. velia cell has two grooves extending from the anterior flagella insertion point with a ridge rising towards the anterior apex of the cell. The anterior flagellum is shorter than the posterior flagellum and possesses a distinct, small curved appendage. The insertion point of the anterior flagellum is partly enclosed by a flap extending from the cell. The posterior flagellum is approximately four times the length of the cell and possesses mastigonemes. The combination of coating techniques proved superior to the commonly used gold coating to determine fine surface ultrastructure. This new ultrastructural information for Ch. velia allowed us to emend its diagnosis.


Ann file

T1	Species 54 68	Chromera velia

N1	Reference T1 Taxonomy:505693

T2	Species 128 142	Chromera velia

N2	Reference T2 Taxonomy:505693

T3	Species 221 230	Ch. velia

N3	Reference T3 Taxonomy:505693

T4	Species 372 381	Ch. velia

N4	Reference T4 Taxonomy:505693

T5	Species 644 653	Ch. velia

N5	Reference T5 Taxonomy:505693

T6	Species 695 704	Ch. velia

N6	Reference T6 Taxonomy:505693

T7	Species 736 751	Colpodella edax

N7	Reference T7 Taxonomy:234065

T8	Species 824 833	Ch. velia

N8	Reference T8 Taxonomy:505693

T9	Species 1454 1463	Ch. velia

N9	Reference T9 Taxonomy:505693