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Testate Amoebae Examined by Confocal and Two-Photon Microscopy: Implications for Taxonomy and Ecophysiology

Burdíková, Zuzana ; Čapek, Martin ; Ostašov, Pavel ; Machač, Jiří ; Pelc, Radek ; Mitchell, Edward A.D. ; Kubínová, Lucie

In: Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2010, vol. 16, no. 6, p. 735-746

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    Title
    • Testate Amoebae Examined by Confocal and Two-Photon Microscopy: Implications for Taxonomy and Ecophysiology
    Author
    • Burdíková, Zuzana. Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
    • Čapek, Martin. Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
    • Ostašov, Pavel. Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
    • Machač, Jiří. Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Zámek 1, CZ-25243 Průhonice, Czech Republic
    • Pelc, Radek. Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
    • Mitchell, Edward A.D.. Laboratory of Soil Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
    • Kubínová, Lucie. Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2010, vol. 16, no. 6, p. 735-746. Cambridge University Press
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:294007
    Summary
    Testate amoebae (TA) are a group of free-living protozoa, important in ecology and paleoecology. Testate amoebae taxonomy is mainly based on the morphological features of the shell, as examined by means of light microscopy or (environmental) scanning electron microscopy (SEM/ESEM). We explored the potential applications of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), two photon excitation microscopy (TPEM), phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC Nomarski), and polarization microscopy to visualize TA shells and inner structures of living cells, which is not possible by SEM or environmental SEM. Images captured by CLSM and TPEM were utilized to create three-dimensional (3D) visualizations and to evaluate biovolume inside the shell by stereological methods, to assess the function of TA in ecosystems. This approach broadens the understanding of TA cell and shell morphology, and inner structures including organelles and endosymbionts, with potential implications in taxonomy and ecophysiology