Cthylla microfasciculumque

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C. microfasciculumque displaying its flagella.

Classification

Higher order taxa

Eukaryota; Excavata; Metamonada; Parabasalia; Parabasalia incertae sedis

Species

Cthylla microfasciculumque

Description and Significance

Cthylla microfasciculumque is a small flagellate found in the hindgut of lower termites; specifically Reticulitermes virginicus. This symbiont bears a similar appearance to Cthulhu macrofasciculumque with a single anterior nucleus and five anterior flagellum that the organism beats in a highly recurrent pattern for mobility. C. microfasciculumque is a Parabasalia, the microbes responsible for the breakdown of cellulose for use by the host termite. The study of C. microfasciculumque may lead to further insights as to how larger Parabasalia evolved.

Genome Structure

Cthylla microfasciculumque was classified by using a 1500bp sequence of SSU rRNA, but as of April 2013 the genome has not be sequenced. The microorganism is most similar to members of the family Hexamastigidae.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Named after the secret daughter of H.P. Lovecraft's iconic monster Cthulhu, Cthylla microfasciculumque possesses five anterior flagellum used for mobility, reminding scientists of Lovecraft's octopus headed monster. The cell also possesses a single anterior nucleus associated with an axostyle projecting from the posterior end of the cell. C. microfasciculumque was isolated alongside other Parabasalia and most likely metabolizes cellulose for use by the host termite, but its exact metabolism has not yet been studied.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Cthylla microfasciculumque was isolated from the hindgut of the termite Reticulitermes virginicus. The microorganism lives in a symbiotic relationship with its host as a member of the microbial community responsible for the breakdown of lignocellulose. C. microfasciculumque was found alongside larger and better described members of R. virginicus hindgut including: Trichonympha, Spirotrichonympha, Dinenympha, and Pyrsonympha.

References

James, E. R., Okamoto, N., Burki, F., Scheffrahn, R. H., and Keeling, P. J. "Cthulhu Macrofasciculumque n. g., n. sp. and Cthylla Microfasciculumque n. g., n. sp., a Newly Identified Lineage of Parabasalian Termite Symbionts". PLOS ONE. 2013. Volume 8.

Author

Page authored by Graden Barnes and Michael Paxhia, students of Professors Edward Walker and Kazem Kashefi at Michigan State University.