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Specimen
076
The members of the genus Padadileptus have a conical, broad body shape, which is obliquely truncated at the oral aperture. This probably Paradileptus elephantinus, so called because of its trunk-like proboscis. In the center of the neck lies a longitudinal unciliated ridge, armed with trichocyst filaments, which is supported by hair-like trichites. Ciliation is complete and uniform in longitudinal rows. The contractile vacuoles are numerous and lie beneath the animal's membrane all over the cell surface. This species is used as an indicator of water quality and waste treatment plant performance - because it feeds on bacteria, this species is typically found in heavily polluted freshwater habitats. |