Functional roles of the haptonema and the spine scales in the feeding process of Chrysochromulina spinifera (Fournier) Pienaar et Norris (Haptophyta = Prymnesiophyta)

Abstract Chrysochromulina spinifera (Fournier) Pienaar et Norris displays a novel feeding mechanism. A water current generated by flagellar movement brings food particles to the cell. These particles adhere to the long spine scales that cover the cell, move to the cell surface and then move to the tip of the haptonema, where they form an aggregate. The haptonema bends to transfer the aggregate to a specific area of the cell surface, where it is ingested by phagocytosis. This bending occurs whether or not the haptonema bears an aggregate. Haptonematal functions of C. spinifera are similar to those of C. hirta Manton in that both are involved in the formation of aggregates of trapped particles and delivery of the aggregate to the body of the cell. However, apparently the haptonema of C. spinifera is not involved directly in particle capture.