Cryptomonas borealis Skuja 1956

This is an organism I've wanted to illustrate for a while because it seemed interesting compared to other Cryptomonas species, with the "borealis" part and all that. I don't really have much energy to write this post, but I'll try anyway. Then, to feel less guilty, I'll see if I can get around to writing something for the final project. I should notify my supervisor for another mandatory review next week. What follows is a notice regarding the use of the images and taxonomic context, which is almost entirely copied and pasted from the other Cryptomonas guides, so don't expect much ingenuity there.

This species belongs to the family Cryptomonadaceae, order Cryptomonadales, class Cryptophyceae (commonly called "cryptomonad algae"). You know where this is going: cryptomonad algae are then included in the subphylum Rollomonadia, phylum Cryptista, subkingdom Hacrobia, kingdom Chromista. 

The kingdom Chromista is related to the clade Archaeplastida, which includes algae that are relatives and ancestors of plants. You might also encounter another classification, where the phylum Cryptista is included in the clade Pancryptista, which is related to Archaplastida, and both form the large CAM clade. But that's not really important; the point is that Cryptomonas borealis is another distant relative of plant ancestors.

bleeeeeh (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

The following illustrations depict Cryptomonas borealis Skuja 1956, as the name is recorded on AlgaeBase. I have shown it in ventral view. The images are free to use and are also available on Wikimedia Commons. Of course, commercial use of these images is not permitted, nor is their use without proper attribution. "DOTkamina (2026)" is sufficient.

For the creation of these illustrations, as well as the text describing them, I have relied on and consulted the following works:

• "Chapter 18 - Cryptomonads". Brec L. Clay, 2015. Freshwater Algae of North America (Second Edition). Academic Press.
• "Cryptomonas borealis Skuja 1956". E.A. Molinari Novoa in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. 2024.
• "Cryptomonas borealis Skuja, 1956". Martin Kreutz. Real Micro Life. 2021.
• "Light microscopical observations of the sigmoid species of the genus Cryptomonas Ehrenberg (Cryptophyceae) and their eventual pyrenoids". Pavel Javornický. Acta Musei Silesiae Scientiae Naturales. 63(1):1-24. DOI: 10.2478/cszma-2014-0001. 2014.
• "Revision of the Genus Cryptomonas (Cryptophyceae): a Combination of Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Provides Insights into a Long-Hidden Dimorphism". Kerstin Hoef-Emden and Michael Melkonian. Protist: Volume 154, Issues 3-4, 371-409 pp. 2003.

Cryptomonas borealis is a rare species of Cryptomonas. 

Actually, it's not rare in any particular way; I just said that because the name sounded legendary. "B o r e a l i s"—few things surpass that in epicness. The C. borealis cell is oval with a wavy surface. In fact, I would describe it more accurately, in lateral view, as a kind of rectangular oval that has been bruised. It measures 20 to 50 µm in length.

The organism has two chloroplasts ranging in color from brownish to olive green. One would assume that both chloroplasts are the same color in each individual. In the ventral view, however, I have depicted each chloroplast as a different color: the "ventral" one more greenish and the "dorsal" one more brownish. But I'm sure that doesn't happen in real life. I made that decision to make it easier to distinguish both chloroplasts in the ventral view, but it doesn't mean they are bicolored in real life.

There are no pyrenoids; what exist are several hexagonal or oval starch granules. In the illustrations, I distinguish between "chloroplast 1 starch grains" and "chloroplast 2 starch grains," but this is purely for didactic purposes and to facilitate the separation of the two chloroplasts in the drawing. In reality, the starch granules of both chloroplasts should not differ in size, quantity, or color.

Furthermore, according to Clay (2015), I have represented two nucleomorphs as they are assumed to exist in Cryptomonas (one for each chloroplast, if there are two chloroplasts). Of course, their shape and location are almost speculative. Clay (2015) mentions that they are "between the pyrenoid and the nucleus," but I have represented them as being above the nucleus, since there are no pyrenoids in this species.

One notable feature of this species is the "gullet mouth," which is "widely open." This can be understood as the anterior part of the cell, where the vestibulum and gullet are located, being especially wide. It doesn't end in a "point" or a "curve" as occurs in other Cryptomonas species. In fact, from a lateral view, it literally resembles two jaws or "protrusions" surrounding the entrance (vestibulum), like "a fish with its mouth open," according to Kreutz (2021). I believe I've managed to represent this in my illustration, but you can check Kreutz (2021), Figure 1b, to get a better visualization. Furthermore, this arrangement results in one side of the cell around the vestibulum appearing more "prominent" than the other. In this case, the more prominent side is the dorsal side; you'll see that it's higher on that side than on the ventral side. This prominent area is known as the "apical rostrum."

The gullet, btw, reaches up to half the length of the cell and is covered with ejectisomes, as is common in other Cryptomonas species. In the illustrations of the organism in Kreutz (2021) and Javornický (2014), it appears that the ejectisomes do not completely cover the gullet; rather, there is a portion closer to the exterior ("the vestibulum") that is not covered by them. And that is how I have represented it.

The vestibulum has a "vestibular ligule," a characteristic of campylomorphic Cryptomonas species, such as C. borealis. However, this structure is almost speculative because it has not been reported for this specific species; rather, it is a characteristic that is "assumed" for campylomorphic Cryptomonas. You can learn more about this morphology in the entry on Cryptomonas obovata.

According to Hoef-Emden and Melkonian (2003), the furrow is curved, and I would venture to say that it extends to just under half the length of the cell, based on what I can observe in Hoef-Emden and Melkonian (2003): Figures 2 and 10. That is my main excuse for having depicted the large furrow.

Two Maupas bodies are represented, although the species can have as few as one, or even as many as three. The contractile vacuole is located anteriorly, beneath the apical rostrum. There is also a nucleus with a nucleolus located posteriorly, "in posterior third" (Kreutz 2021). I assume the nucleolus exists because, according to Clay (2015), in cryptomonads during interphase (the "normal" phase of cell life where it is not dividing, but simply existing), the nucleolus is "prominent and persistent."

I have drawn the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and the single reticulated mitochondrion. The shapes of these structures are speculative. In the case of the mitochondrion, it's a predicted reticulated shape based on what Santore and Greenwood (1977) explains, where it's mentioned that Cryptomonas has a single mitochondrion with numerous branches distributed throughout the cell, concentrated in areas like the gullet. It's assumed that these mitochondrial branches should have different thicknesses in various sections, but in my drawing, the width of these branches is almost uniform.

I assume that the flagellar arrangement in C. borealis is type 4, as described in Kugrens et al. (1987): this means: the flagella do not follow the basic type 1 flagellar arrangement (long dorsal flagellum with two rows of mastigonemes, each with a terminal filament; short ventral flagellum with one row of mastigonemes, each with two unequal terminal filaments). Instead, there is a type 4 flagellar arrangement. In this arrangement, there is only one row of mastigonemes for both flagella. The nature of the terminal filaments is the same as in type 1 flagella. Therefore: long (dorsal) flagellum with one row of mastigonemes, each with a terminal filament; short (ventral) flagellum with one row of mastigonemes, each with two unequal terminal filaments. Additionally, at the terminal tip of the long flagellum, there are four "terminal hairs".

Kugrens et al. (1987)'s work does not mention that C. borealis has type 4 flagella. I infer this because its morphological relationship with C. curvata and C. platyuris, among other species, has been discussed (Javornický 2014 and Hoef-Emden and Melkonian 2003). And C. curvata and C. platyuris have type-4 flagella. Furthermore, flagellar type 4 in Kugrens et al. (1987) is associated with species described as campylomorphic by Clay (2015)... and C. borealis is campylomorphic and only has this morph according to Hoef-Emden and Melkonian (2003). All of this leads me to believe that C. borealis has this flagellar arrangement. But of course, this is speculative, and electron microscopy studies would be necessary to confirm it.

Both the mastigonemes and the additional filaments and hairs can only be seen with an electron microscope. Don't expect to see them with a light microscope. Even the flagella are sometimes difficult to see with a light microscope. I almost forgot: both flagella are located on the right side of the vestibule. That's from a dorsal view. In a ventral view, they appear to be on the left, but that's just an illusion!

I really think that was all I had to say about this species. I've had it ready for a long time—I mean, the illustrations—but I was too lazy to write it. Thankfully, I'm finally out of writer's block.

𝚃𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚜𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜

Heh.

It's been a while, hasn't it?

(ദ്ദി˙ᗜ˙)

I don't know if anyone actually checks these posts. I assume not, judging by the views they get. On one hand, I'm glad that's the case because I don't know if I'll really be ready for the criticism and potential memes or jokes, which are bound to happen. I even participate in the jokes myself on Instagram.

Haha...

૮₍´˶• . • ⑅ ₎ა

૮₍´˶• . • ⑅ ₎ა

૮₍´˶• . • ⑅ ₎ა

(ㅇㅅㅇ)

⊂(◉‿◉)つ

(♥‿♥)

╭(╭⊚‿⊚╮)╮

:00000  (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

so fucking yay

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

(⸝⸝๑  ̫ ๑⸝⸝⸝)

(⸝⸝⸝-﹏-⸝⸝⸝)

✧(⸝⸝⸝ᵒ̴̶̷ ｡ ᵒ̴̶̷⸝⸝⸝)

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

This anime has definitely become one of my favorites. In fact, before I continue writing, I'm going to post my review on MyAnimeList. Well, I'm back. I'll leave some images here, but I have to say I really liked the plot, much more than I expected. The divorce subplot might be a heavy or even annoying thing to consider, but for me it's important because... it's precisely about how to cope with family problems. Arguments. My mother is yelling at me right now, so it's difficult for me to write this. That's why I consider it important. The ending was also very beautiful. The episode's ending. It's a small escape from reality, well, at least from my reality. Mother's screams sound more and more like noise or vibrations in my head; it's a strange feeling. They sound threatening and make me want to run to my room and cry for a while. Then I remember I don't have a room and that I just have to keep going and pretend everything is okay. And in the end, I think that's what my life is all about, as it always has been. When something was stolen from me at school, or something was broken, well, that's when I cried because I knew I was in for a beating from my mother. It continued in later stages, with me staying quiet and putting up with it. Putting it up with it until I suppose I couldn't anymore.

The end of the episode was simply beautiful, how they finally establish a relationship, accept the problems that might eventually arise, and underlyingly accept that they will try to solve them together. Why has humankind evolved to such an extent that it's so necessary to feel accompanied in life? I could break down that answer well as a student of Evolutionary Biology. But I don't feel like doing it right now, and maybe never will.

It's a good time to say that I finally took my computer home (to my mother's; I don't have my own place, obviously). It was with some technicians for a couple of days, and they left it just as damaged. The problem now seems to be the video card, well, the video connections to the screen, or whatever that's called. I don't even deserve a new device. What I do is wait for it to turn on so I can work on parts of my Final Project as best I can, and when it doesn't, I play Brawl Stars or make some progress on my illustrations.

I don't deserve a new computer; I've always been useless. Even now, I'm wasting time watching my favorite anime and playing Roblox. And writing this post. It's fine! It can't be fixed right away. Tomorrow, I'm supposed to go to my internship at the Museum, but I don't even feel like it. My mom keeps saying, "It's time to start saving for the bus fare," which isn't cheap since I live far away. I have to emphasize that, why? To justify my lack of motivation, and also because, even though it bothers me, it's true... and generally, I think I'm going to drop out. Clearing my head somewhere else is expensive. And uncomfortable; the buses are cramped, and having to deal with other people staring is annoying too. My pants don't fit me as well as I'd like.

I don't like staying home and being constantly under my mother's thumb, enjoying the good times with her when I know that if something goes wrong, the atmosphere completely changes and the negativity returns. In fact, it just happened again, something with my damn braces (and let me tell you, if I'm being completely honest, I would have preferred to invest that money I've already spent on therapy and a makeover, rather than on teeth that I don't even think make me smile properly, although they do seem straighter).

The negativity I feel right now is enough to make me want to go to the orthodontist and tell him, "I won't have time because of my studies. I'm sorry."

But I'll try to hold out a little longer until I finish writing everything here.

Anyway, what I was getting at is: I don't really like the museum because it's obvious those jars with large animals contain a lot of formaldehyde. The curator says it's just alcohol and that it's fine, so much so that he actually believes it himself and handles the specimens with his bare hands. I also think he thinks I was born yesterday; that stuff obviously has formaldehyde or something in it. The smell is distinctly that of regular ethanol, the atmosphere is heavy for someone who isn't always there, and it irritates me. These reasons are also a burden for me to want to leave, and... why did I go in the first place?

Well, one reason was to find a good excuse to escape the house for a while. But it's certainly not giving me much peace, because the issue of the cost of lunches and such came up. I've actually been thinking that I could just keep going, but cut back on the lunches and save that money for some future treat, like an escort. Because, to be honest, I don't think I'll ever be able to find someone special or someone who's a good match for me. "If I improve, yes," but I still see that as a long way off (unattainable).

Another reason I went into that museum was to see if I could find that special someone, but it's not going to happen. It's a pretty lame goal, so the result is going to be lame too. A student intern from a nearby university recently started there, so I immediately began a conversation with her until the topic of relationships came up, and she has a boyfriend. So, that's it. I simply limited myself to greetings or talking if she initiated it, during the internship. I'm not going to make the same mistake as with () of ultimately wanting to simulate what it would be like to have a girlfriend who fits in, or worse, of groveling for attention like I did with girl M. Looking back, that was truly pathetic; it must have been bad even for her. I was just looking for a partner, and that was clearly a forced interaction where she only saw me as a casual companion.

So what I'm trying to do is keep shifting my focus away from people, especially couples, and try to reach at least my goal of 100 protist illustrations, as much as I can. Should I keep going to the museum? I don't know. If I want to keep getting those free lunches, I could go to the library and spend my time there, saving up for lunches. Although I don't know if I'll be able to make it through a whole day until the afternoon, pretending I'm actually going to the museum. That's partly why I don't want to leave the museum, and also because "I could get a volunteer certificate that would look good on my poor old CV."

Hmmm... maybe I'll stick around at that museum this week, so my departure isn't so abrupt. I definitely won't go tomorrow, because I promised an acquaintance I'd help him identify some aquatic insects.

I'll see how I can structure my time and my demons.

And long live the melancholic music of the last century.

( ´ ▽ ` )b