An improved silver carbonate impregnation for marine ciliated protozoa

Abstract

An improved silver carbonate impregnation method for marine ciliates is described. Compared to conventional methods, the new method of fixing and staining is easy to learn and yields easily reproducible results. Structures that are impregnated with silver carbonate such as nuclear apparatus, infraciliature as well as cortical and cytoplasmic microtubules and even contractile vacuole pore are stained evenly and with high contrast in all cells on the slides, therefore yielding perfect photographs. This method has the characteristic of simplicity, quickness and good reproducibility, so it is especially suitable for ecologists and ontogenetists. The slides with mounted cells can also be stored for months without loss in quality or staining capability.