Association of Bacteria and Fungi with Rumen Ciliates

Abstract

All rumen ciliates whether grown in vivo or in vitro contain bacteria in vesicles in their endoplasm and attached to the outside of the pellicle. However studies in the electron microscope show that the numbers vary considerably between species and with growth conditions. Fig. 5.1, which is a section through Entodinium caudatum grown in vitro, shows that this Protozoon contained few bacteria in the endoplasm and apparently none attached to the pellicle. In contrast, Figs. 5.2 and 5.3 show bacteria attached to the pellicles of, respectively, an Entodinium sp. isolated from the rumen and an Epidinium caudatum grown in vivo. Fig. 5.4 shows that protozoa (species unknown) can contain very many bacteria in their cytoplasm.