Image of the scopula, the stalk forming region at the aboral end of the cell body of Opercularia coarctata. A group of basal bodies each gives rise to a modified cilium that gives rise to a cylinder o...

Image of the scopula, the stalk forming region at the aboral end of the cell body of Opercularia coarctata. A group of basal bodies each gives rise to a modified cilium that gives rise to a cylinder o...

An overview of the peristome of Opercularia coarctata. The corrugated wall, the equivalent to the ribbed wall of Paramecium, contains tubular projections of alveoli and cross sections of two ribbons o...

Image of the pellicle of Opercularia coarctata. Indentations of the plasma membrane penetrate the alveolar membranes end as coated pits. These pits are also known as pellicular pores are homologous to...

Opercularia coarctata. Transmission electron micrograph of contracted cell body. This ciliate does not have rows of basal body/cilia over its whole surface but has cilia in the oral region and in a tr...

A high resolution image of the pellicle of Opercularia coarctata. Indentations of the plasma membrane penetrate the alveolar membranes end as coated pits. These pits are also known as pellicular pores...

Opercularia is named for a ciliated flap (operculum) that is adoral to the opening to the oral region. However, this operculum is pulled back into the body when the myonemes are fully contracted as in...

This image shows elements of myonemal fibers which lie next to the epiplasm that lies internal to the plasma membrane and alveoli. A close association of the ER with the myonemes is seen. The cytosol ...