Fauna
Invertebrate

Stylonychia mytilus

Stylonychia mytilus

Also known as Mussel Animalcule

Stylonychia mytilus is a flattened, oval ciliate that crawls rapidly over submerged detritus and pond plants using stiff tufts of fused cilia called cirri. Equipped with three prominent posterior caudal cilia that look like spines, it can execute sudden backward leaps to escape impending danger. It is widely studied by cell biologists for its complex nuclear dimorphism and extensive DNA rearrangement during sexual conjugation.

MicroscopicFreshwaterCiliate
Stylonychia mytilus reference
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—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFreshwater bacteria, Chlamydomonas algae, Colpidium colpoda
Predators
  • Rotifers
  • Turbellarians
  • Didinium nasutum
ThreatsAquatic pollution, severe desiccation, and heavy chemical runoff
HabitatsFreshwater ponds, slow streams, vernal pools, and benthic biofilms
Life spanSeveral days to weeks between vegetative fissions; cysts survive years
Classification
  1. OrderOxytrichida
  2. FamilyOxytrichidae
  3. GenusStylonychia
  4. SpeciesStylonychia mytilus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless single-celled organism; safe to sample and view under a microscope.
Responsible observation
  • Sampling: Collect muddy water and decomposing leaf litter from stagnant pond margins.
  • Microscopy: Use brightfield or differential interference contrast at 100x to 400x magnification.
  • Slowing Movement: Add a drop of methyl cellulose or pond detritus to the slide to slow its rapid sprinting.
Related species
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