Vorticella

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Vorticella

Vorticella spp. Dennis Kunkel Microscopy Inc.

A Vorticella.
Numbered ticks are 20 µM apart.
Photograph by Bob Blaylock.

A bunch of Vorticella.
Numbered ticks are 122 µM apart.
Photograph by Bob Blaylock.

Classification Higher order taxa: Eukaryota; Alveolata; Ciliophora; Oligohymenophorea; Peritrichia; Vorticellidae. Species: Vorticella campanula Vorticella convallaria Vorticella microstoma NCBI: Taxonomy Genome Description and Significance Vorticella are members of the phylum Ciliophora. In some ways, they resemble members of the phylum Suctoria. However, there are major morphological differences between these two types of organisms. It is the unique structure of Vorticella that distinguishes them from other ciliates. Genome Structure Like some other ciliates, Vorticella has a deviant genetic code. UAA, a traditional stop codon, instead translates for glutamate. The small subunit rRNA (SSrRNA) gene has proved crucial for distinguishing between Vorticella species. Because different species are physically very similar, it is difficult to tell them apart by morphological characterstics alone. SSrRNA has proved a much more effective method of classification and identification. Cell Structure and Metabolism Diagram of Vorticella. Anabaena"Vorticella" lesson by the Haw River Program. Vorticella are sessile organisms. However, young Vorticella are free-swimming. Adult forms attach to substrates with contractile stalks. This stalk is a filamentous organelle called the spasmoneme. Adults can also be free-swimming if these stalks are cut. They can also detach themselves if food supplies are scarce and they need to find a new location. The spasmoneme has three cellular membranes, an extracelluar matrix, and an outer sheath. These stalks coil upon contraction. It is believed that the contraction is a defense mechanism to protect Vorticella from environmental hazards such as turbulent water. Contractions also help Vorticella capture food. Vorticella are referred to as Peritrichs, meaning that their cilia are concentrated around the mouth end of the organism, but nowhere else on the body. In the event that Vorticella becomes motile, temporary cilia will form around the body. However, once the organism has anchored itself, these cilia will disappear. Vorticella are heterotrophic organsims. They prey on bacteria. Vorticella use their cilia to create a current of water (vortex) to direct food towards its mouth. Typically, Vorticella reproduce via binary fission. The new organism splits from the parent and swims until it can find something on which to anchor itself. They are also capable of sexual reproduction. Ecology Vorticella are aquatic organisms, most commonly found in freshwater habitats. They attach themselves to plant detritus, rocks, algae, or animals (particularly crustaceans). They are individual organisms, but often can be found in colonies. However, these are not true colonies, because each individual retains its own stalk. Vorticella are therefore free to separate from the colony at any time. A Vorticella colony. Photo by Howard Webb. References. Updated June 24, 2005 Bramucci MG, Nagarajan V. "Inhibition of Vorticella microstoma stalk formation by wheat germ agglutinin." J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2004 Jul-Aug;51(4):425-7. Dennis Kunkel Microscopy Inc. Dioni, Walter. "The Reproduction of Vorticella." Micscape Magazine. June 2003. Accessed 22 June 2005. Haw River Program. "Vorticella." Accessed 23 June 2005. Itabashi, Takeshi, Kazuyuki Mikami, Jie Fang, and Hiroshi Asai. "Phylogenetic Relationships between Vorticella convallaria and Other Species Inferred from Small Subunit rRNA Gene Sequences." Zoological Science. 2002;19:931-937. MicroscopeWorld.com. "Vorticella". 2005. Accessed 23 June 2005. Sanchez-Silva R, Villalobo E, Morin L, Torres A. "A new noncanonical nuclear genetic code: translation of UAA into glutamate." Curr Biol. 2003 Mar 4;13(5):442-7. Shiono H, Naitoh Y. "Cellular contraction precedes membrane depolarization in Vorticella convallaria." J Exp Biol. 1997;200(Pt 16):2249-61. Webb, Howard. "A Vorticella Colony." Micscape Magazine. November 2003. Accessed 22 June 2005.