REGULAR ARTICLES / ARTICLES RÉGULIERSMovement of the cirri during the creeping of Euplotes crassus (Ciliata, Hypotrichida)

Abstract

The beating cycle of several cirri (frontal cirri 1/0, 3/I, 3/II, 3/III; transverse cirri; one caudal cirrus) of the ciliate Euplotes crassus was studied and described thoroughly in specimens that were actually creeping along the substrate. The beating cycle of the frontal cirri was measured both spatially and temporally, and it was found that (i) the single beating cycle was formed by an active propulsion phase (about 70% of the single step), followed by a recovery phase that so far has never been described and is where the cirri are transferred forwards passively (about 30% of the step); (ii) whenever the euplotes stops, it assumes its "zero position," repositioning all of its frontal cirri to their respective "standard positions"; and (iii) at the beginning of a new creeping phase the frontal cirri were reactivated in a well-defined order. The transverse cirri were kept still during forward creeping, while their angular position was changed with respect to the substrate during the stops and backward movements of the ciliate. The first left caudal cirrus beats constantly and its operating cycle appeared to be independent of the creeping or immobile state of the organism. The findings are discussed from the functional point of view and in the context of available literature on the internal beating potentialities of the different cirri.