A Virtual Pond Dip

Note: If visiting this page directly, it is designed to be used with the virtual dip in the jar of pond water.

Vorticella (single-celled) (Example of a peritrich)     Further details: Bell animalcules in 3D

Name (genus) : Vorticella Size : The 'bell' is up to 150 µm, with stalk up to 1 mm. Where to find them : Attached to algae and plants etc. Notes : Vorticella are one of the peritrich protozoa. Although solitary, they often occur in groups to form a tiny jelly-like mass just visible to the naked eye. Their stalks contract like a spring. Some similar types e.g. Epistylis (not contractile) and Carchesium (contractile) are true colonies with branching tree-like stalks. Classification : Kingdom Protoctista, Phylum Ciliophora Return to the Pond Dip