Studies on the Sizes, Shapes, and the Development of the Lorica of Agglutinated Tintinnida

The Tintinnida of the Woods Hole, Massachusetts region were identified during two consecutive summers; loricae of eleven species of the agglutinated variety were studied by scanning electron microscopy. There were distinct differences in the types of particles utilized. In some species, quartz was incorporated almost to the exclusion of all other minerals. Biogenic particles such as fragments of diatom frustules, protozoan shells, and coccoliths were conspicuous on a number of species. The authors suggest that this observable difference in the nature of the agglutinated particles is significant at the generic level. Variability in the sizes and shapes of the lorica of Tintinnopsis acuminata and T. dadayi are discussed in relation to cell growth and lorica developmental processes.