rory ! [🦠꩜ 🧫]

Lacrymaria olor is a species of ciliates that are commonly found in freshwater ponds. it is under the kingdom protista. Its name translates to “swan tear” in Latin due to their distinct tear drop body and long, slender ‘neck’. It is most known for its ability to stretch its neck which can extend 30 times their size. It achieves this flexibility by using a form of curved-creased cellular origami, which relies on helical-shaped microtubules and pleated membrane folds. This helps them to hunt, feeding on amoebas, other ciliates, flagellates, and small rotifiers. It can manipulate its neck rapidly in any direction. The ‘head’ (apical zone) that is located at the tip of their neck contains its cell mouth (cytosome). The tip is covered by cilia and tiny needles known as toxicocysts or trichites, which immobilizes prey as they contain toxicity. (also if i got any facts wrong pls lmk!! i am always willing to learn new stuff)