Lorica, in biology, is a shell-like protective outer covering, often reinforced with sand grains and other particles that some protozoans secrete. Usually it is tubular or conical in shape, with with a loose case that is closed at one end. [1] An example is the genus of protozoa, the Stentor, in which the lorica is trumpet-shaped. In the Tintinnid, the lorica is frequently transparent and is used as a house.[2] Halofolliculina corallasia has a lorica that is attached as an outer structure, and into which it retracts when disturbed.
There are three phases in the formation of lorica.[3]
Notes
- ^ "lorica (biology) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia". britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/348199/lorica. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ "Mic-UK [site A: TINTINNINAE]". www.microscopy-uk.org.uk. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artsep02/jmctintin.html. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ "Protozoan plankton ecology - Three phasses of lorica formation". books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=5n9Gc0kw-UYC&pg=PA40&lpg=PA40&dq=Lorica+%2B+protozoa&source=bl&ots=JU6C2g_-4_&sig=W2tG5qT37o-VIuLBrXkqo4BrRKk&hl=en&ei=Y3CISt7GB4yTtgfNw9jnDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=Lorica%20%2B%20protozoa&f=false. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
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