Mitosis and cell division in Cryptomonas (Cryptophyceae)

Abstract

Mitosis and cytokinesis are examined in Cryptomonas sp., a member of the Cryptophyceae. The beginning of prophase is signalled by the replication of the flagellar bases which are at the anterior of the cell and a proliferation of the microtubules which run from them to the nucleus at the posterior. The microtubules continue to proliferate as the flagellar bases migrate apart and the nucleus migrates to the anterior. They dissociate from the flagellar bases and enter the nucleus as the nuclear envelope breaks down. A rectangular spindle forms and at prometaphase chromatin is scattered along the spindle. From this stage until late telophase microtubules are found attached singly to the chromatin. In metaphase the chromatin forms a solid plate penetrated by tunnels through which microtubules pass and in anaphase the chromatin separates in two masses which move toward the poles as the spindle elongates. In telophase the nuclear envelope re-forms while a number of microtubules remain between the daughter nuclei. The cytokinetic furrow forms during metaphase and constricts gradually until cytokinesis is complete at telophase. A thin ringof amorphous material is seen under the plasma membrane in the cytokinetic furrow. These results suggest that on the basis of mitotic criteria there is little similarity between the cryptophytes and either the dinoflagellates or red algae to which they have been previously linked.