Phylum Ciliophora | Family Lacrymariidae Scientific name Lacrymaria olor Rank Species | |
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Similar Dileptus, Frontonia, Coleps, Spirostomum, Litostomatea | ||
Lacrymaria olor one of earth s strangest creatures
Lacrymaria olor is a species of ciliates, typically 100 micrometres (0.10 mm) long, that is found in freshwater ponds. Its name means "swan tear" in Latin, and refers to its general shape: namely, a teardrop-shaped body with a small "head" at the end of a long slender "neck". The animal is notable for its ability to extend the neck up to 7 times its body length, and manipulate in many directions — even around obstacles — in order to capture its food. For that reason it is a popular subject for amateur microscopists. The classification has been attributed to Müller (1786).
Contents
The protozoan usually has two macronuclei and a single micronucleus. Its body, neck, and head are covered with cilia arranged in spirals. It has two contractile vacuoles, one at each end of the body. It contains small birefringent crystals.
Lacrymaria olor can be easily reproduced in vitro, but cultivated populations are difficult to maintain for long. It can reproduce sexually, with each individual assuming either of two mating types ("sexes") at various times of the day. It can also reproduce asexually, possibly after an internal rearrangement of its genome; but there is evidence that this mechanism stops working after a certain number of consecutive asexual generations. It can also regenerate a new head within minutes, if the original is cut off.
Lacrymaria feed primarily on smaller animals such as ciliates, flagellates, and amoeba, but may sometimes tear chunks out of larger ciliates.