Freshwater and other micro-organisms from Germany: Holophrya teres (Holophryidae, Prostomatea, Intramacronucleata, Ciliophora) feeds on a Euchlanis rotifer. Wimpertiere (Ciliata)

Holophrya teres feeds on a Euchlanis rotifer

Holophrya teres; is a very common ciliate in ponds. Depending on its nutritional status, the ciliate is of oblong-oval to spherical shape with a mouth characterized by a trap at the anterior pole. (1) More on Holophrya teres here >>>

Holophrya teres; there cilia are arranged in many parallel rows, which are interrupted on the anterior part by the adoral membranelle zone (AZM), which consists of several rows of special cilia ("brush"). Location and length of the adoral organelles are species-specific. (1)

Holophrya teres; another aspect of the cilia around the oral basket. (1)

Holophrya teres; another specimen; focus plane on the oral basket which seems to be relative small compared to the size of the ciliate. (1)

.... this changes the moment Holophrya perceives a prey. Coincidentally, in a sample I came across a critter who had just attacked a Euchlanis rotifer. Unfortunately, I did not notice the beginning of this "massacre", as I had previously investigated something else on the slide.

....subsequently, the rotifer was further sucked out. Holophrya penetrated ever deeper into the lorica of the rotifer.

Holophrya teres; this image picture shows how big the mouth opening can be opened. It was really macabre to see how quickly the rotifer's tissue was being engulfed. This looks like aliens in a science-fiction movie. I do not know how this suction is created because the cell mouth inside is not covered with cilia.

....within 15 minutes the entire soft tissue of the rotifer was taken up by the ciliate. Then another ciliate joined.

...unfortunately, there was not much food left for this one. As you can see in the last picture, however, the entire foot of the rotifer including the toes was eaten.