The ultrastructure of the flagellar root system ofImantonia rotunda(Prymnesiophyceae)

Abstract

A detailed study of the fine structure of the flagellar root system in Imantonia rotunda Reynolds (Prymnesiophyceae) has been made and a reconstruction is presented. There are two divergent basal bodies connected by a striated distal fibrous connecting band, a pair of median connecting bands and a small proximal connecting band. Associated with the connecting bands and the basal-bodies are a number of microtubular roots, none of which is composed of more than three microtubules, at least in the region of the flagellar apparatus. A haptonema trace was not observed. The root system in I. rotunda is compared with those (often more complex) observed in other members of the class and possible homologies are proposed.