BEHAVIOR OF EPIXENOSOMES AND THE EPIXENOSOMAL BAND DURING DIVISIONAL MORPHOGENESIS IN EUPLOTIDIUM-ITOI (CILIATA, HYPOTRICHIDA)

In the present study the variations of the epixenosomal band and the b ehavior of epixenosomes during the divisional morphogenesis of Euploto dium itoi have been analyzed. From the results obtained it arises that the multiplication, the precise redistribution between the two daught er E. itoi cells, and the transformation of epixenosomes from form I t o form II are all processes well coordinated with the reproductive cyc le of the ciliate. Euplotidium can live and divide even without epixen osomes. It appears, however, that not only E. itoi has a strong influe nce on epixenosomes but that the epixenosomes themselves also influenc e the ciliate host in some way.