Studies on the Morphology and Behaviour of Buxtonella sulcata from Cattle and of Balantidium coli from the Pig

Abstract

1. A ciliate occurring in the caecum of about 25 per cent, of the cattle that were examined at Jeanerette, Louisiana, is herein classified as Buxtonella sulcata Jameson (1926) and it is proposed that it be removed from the Class Aspirigera, Family Isotrichidae, and included in the Class Spirigera, Order Heterotrichida.2. The ciliate is characterised by the position of the cytostome near the permanently open cytopyge and within the peristome which continues from the cytostome around the oral end of the body to the extreme aboral end which during locomotion is anterior.3. The infections were detected in slaughtered animals by examining faecal material in Syracuse watch glasses under the binocular microscope, this method of faecal diagnosis having advantages over the smear method.4. By the administration of Epsom salts the ciliates may be obtained from living cattle.5. A pipette is described and figured for the isolation of Protozoa.6. Death of Buxtonella sulcata in an unfavourable environment occurred by disruption of the endoplasm through the cytostome.7. Buxtonella sulcata disappeared from faecal material at room temperature more quickly than balantidia from the pig, but withstood manipulation under the microscope better than the balantidia.8. The passage of an individual between two obstructions suggested a means of intercellular tissue penetration by ciliates.9. The oral plug and the centralised neuromotor system described and figured by McDonald in Balantidium coli could not be differentiated by the writer, but McDonald's other morphological observations on the above ciliates were confirmed.