Stalked Ciliates

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Organism: Stalked Ciliates

Identification: Stalked ciliates are a type of protozoa that can be branched or unbranched. Stalked ciliates are "inverted bell-shaped bodies mounted on a stalk which is attached to a substratum." A key identification feature is the presence of cilia (minute hair-like projections) on the oral region of the organism. Stalked ciliates can be solitary or colonial.

Additional Information: They are members of the class Ciliophora. Many different genera and species exist. Some genera commonly seen in wastewater are Opercularia, Vorticella, and Epistylis.

Where they can be found: They are one of the higher life forms found in waste water treatment processes. Stalked ciliates are usually an indication of a stable activated sludge operation. The species of stalked ciliates found can be used to indicate approximate MCRT. The colonial forms of stalked ciliates usually occur at higher MCRTs. Stalked ciliates are found in large numbers when the bacterial population and dissolved oxygen concentration of the treatment process are high, the wastewater environment is stable and a mature floc structure has developed. Stalked ciliates usually indicate a stable wastewater environment and a healthy biomass.

Stalked ciliates are also capable of swimming freely. This may occur during low dissolved oxygen levels within the treatment process.

How to Find Them: Microscopic examination of a wet mount.

Suctoria: Similar to stalked ciliates only instead of hairs, they have a rigid set of tentacles extending from the cell body which are hollow. They use these to spear their prey such as free swimming ciliates and flagellates. Usually sessile.

Bright Field illumination	Colonial stalked ciliates- Phase Contrast
	Sheathed stalked ciliate secrete a lorica, an outer membrane that protects the ciliate.
Bright Field 1000x Stalked ciliates attach themselves to the base of something, usually floc structures
	Single stalk ciliate consume food via vorticellids, oral cilia that wind completely around the top of the cell.
The stalk contains a contractile, slightly sinuous filament that can rapidly coil up like a spring, pulling the cell body down.
	Dozens of heads on this very large colonial stalked ciliate

A stalk ciliate that is not attached to a base

Another stalk that is not attached to a base

More to come soon!

Stalked Ciliates page 2- too many types, sizes and styles- see more photomicrographs

Would you like to see a closer look at some of the details of a Stalked ciliate such as features of his feet or base?

Check out the Stalked Ciliate enlargements at 400x and 1000x and see more fine details. . . . . .

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