Fine structure of photo-kinetic systems in Dinobryon cylindricum var. Alpinum (chrysophyceae)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the stigma and associated flagellar-microtubular systems in Dinobryon cylindricum var. alpinum is described in detail and compared with observations on comparable photo-kinetic systems in other chrysophycean organisms. The chloroplastidic stigma of D. cylindricum var. alpinum is shown to lie in a particular positional relationship to the flagellar swelling in the anterior furrow and to several other organelles, to consist of a monolayer of c. 40 pigmented granules, each c. 250–500 nm diameter, arranged in a definite pattern, and to be overlain by several membrane systems. Other cytoplasmic pigmented bodies with dense crystalline contents surrounded by a single “unit membrane” aggregate near the anterior furrow on the side opposite the stigma. The swelling on the proximal portion of the smooth flagellum is separated from the plasmalemma of the anterior furrow by a nearly constant distance of 75–100 nm, has a multilamellate substructure that is linked by fine radiating interconnections to the axoneme doublets, and is connected to the plasmalemma by a system of fibrillar interconnections. A transitional helix in the basal body region is described as similar to structures reported in other chrysophycean flagellates. A striated rhizoplast with a periodicity of c. 90 nm extends from basal body I to the nuclear envelope. A seven-stranded microtubular root extends from the same basal body. Other fibrous and microtubular root systems are also described. The inter-relationships and possible functions of the aforementioned structures are discussed.