Biology
Scanning electron micrograph of P. dubius. The cell is on its side with its anterior end on the right. The arrow shows the position of the mouth. © University of Heidelberg and Land Oberosterrich des OO. Landesmuseums. Photograph by W. Foissner
Morphology
Pseudomicrothorax dubius is usually about 80µm long by 50µm wide, but can be much larger. Its cell outline is oval, with the right edge more curved than the left, and it is highly flattened dorsoventrally.
The body cilia are arranged in 13 or 14 longitudinal rows.
The mouth is in the anterior third of the body in a shallow depression (shown by the white arrow in the image). The most conspicuous feature of the oral apparatus is the cytopharyngeal basket which is composed of rods and sheets of microtubules. The oral ciliature comprises 3 short membranelles on the left of the mouth and a short undulating membrane on its right.
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Cell structure
Find out about the various structural features of P. dubius, and their functions.
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Nutrition
Learn about the feeding habits and mechanisms of P. dubius.
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Reproduction
P. dubius is known to reproduce asexually by binary fission. Sexual reproduction has not yet been described for this species of cilate. Find out more.
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Cysts
Get information about the dormant stage of P. dubius.