Abstract
Euglena agilis (syn. Euglena pisciformis) is a free‐living euglenoid found in brackish or fresh water. This species can be identified by its fusiform shape, single long flagellum, and prominent anterior eyespot. It can be distinguished from other euglenoids in part by its two to three large chloroplasts that run parallel to the length of the body, each with a single pyrenoid capped on two sides by paramylon. Euglena agilis is commonly found in our collecting ponds in central New Jersey. In two consecutive summers, we have found large numbers of these cells living symbiotically with the colonial rotifer Conochilus unicornis. We do not know if either organism benefits or is harmed in this relationship. For example, while we've seen the rotifers of the colony ingest other algae, we have not seen predation of the E. agilis (neither those embedded in the mucilaginous secretions of the rotifer nor swimming outside of the colony). This association is interesting for several reasons: 1) E. agilis is normally free‐living. 2) There are few known symbiotic relationships between euglenoids and rotifers. 3) E. agilis lose their long single flagellum when in the colony. We plan to use light and electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of the E. agilis and its relationship to the rotifer colony.
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