Light micrograph of a group of Vorticella, a sessile, ciliate protozoan of the order Peritricha. Each single-celled individual has a head or zooid and

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Light micrograph of a group of Vorticella, a sessile, ciliate protozoan of the order Peritricha. Each single-celled individual has a head or zooid and a retractable stalk which anchors it to the substrate. The flattened top of the head bears the mouth and a complicated wreath of hair-like cilia. The beating of the cilia creates tiny vortices in the water which wash bacteria into the organism's mouth. Many tiny bacteria are visible suspended in the water. Magnification: x70 at 35mm size.

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Size: 3644px × 5463px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, ciliate, invertebrate, invertebrates, light, micrograph, nature, peritricha, protozoa, protozoan, sp., vorticella, wildlife, zoology