Ultrastructure of the flagellar apparatus in cryptomorphic Cryptomonas curvata (Cryptophyceae) with an emphasis on taxonomic and phylogenetic implications

Cryptomonas curvata Ehrenberg is a photosynthetic freshwater flagellate and the type species of the genus Cryptomonas. We examined the flagellar apparatus of cryptomorphic C. curvata by transmission electron microscopy. The major components of the flagellar apparatus are the non-keeled rhizostyle (Rhs), striated fibrous root (SR), striated fiber-associated microtubular root (SRm), mitochondrion-associated lamella (ML), and two types of microtubular roots (3r and 2r). The non-keeled Rhs originate at the ventral basal body and consist of two types of microtubule bands extending together into the middle of the cell. The SR and SRm extend parallel to the left side of the cell. The ML originates from the ventral basal body and is a plate-like fibrous structure associated with mitochondria. The 3r extends from the dorsal basal body toward the dorsal anterior of the cell. The 2r originates between the two basal bodies and extends shortly to the left of the cell. The overall configuration of the flagellar apparatus is most similar to that previously reported for C. pyrenoidifera. These results demonstrate that the features of the flagellar apparatus are useful for distinguishing closely related species and inferring phylogenetic relationships among taxa.