View source for Reticulopodia

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<font size="1"><div style="text-align:right">''compiled by [[Jaroslaw Tyszka |J. Tyszka]]''</div style></font size>
[[Image:Rhizopodia1TrAl1981mod.jpg|thumb|right|240px| <div style="text-align:left;margin-left:5px;margin-bottom:4px;"><font size="2">'''Reticulopodia'''. This extensive reticulopodial network of living ''Allogromia'' illustrates the radially extended trunk filopodia, and the anastomosing interconnection of these with the branch filopodia. Survey light micrograph (from [[BIBLIOGRAPHY|Travis & Allen, 1981]], modified)]]</font></div>

== Definition ==

'''Reticulopodia''', also known as reticulose [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudopodia pseudopodia], net-like pseudopods which form complex irregular anastomosing networks. 

"Reticulopodia have been variously termed 'granuloreticulopodia', 'pseudopodial networks', 'rhizopodia, and "cytoplasmic strands." (from [[BIBLIOGRAPHY|Bowser & Travis, 2002]]) 

"The most remarkable feature of the granular rhizopodia of foraminifera is the typical bidirectional cytoplasmic flow ... Granules are transported in both directions simultaneously even in extremely fine rhizopodial strands" (from [[BIBLIOGRAPHY|Lipps,1993]])

[[Image:apertureB1e.gif|thumb|right|240px| <font size="2"> Video clip showing the apertural area of the benthic foraminifera ''Haynesina germanica'', collecting benthic diatoms  ''Skeletonima costatum'' via pseudopodial network (by [[Heather AUSTIN]]). See [[Feeding on diatoms]]]]</font>


== Function ==

"Rhizopodia are crucial in obtaining the energy necessary for the successful completion of the Radiolarian (and foraminiferal) life cycle. Additionally, the rhizopodia act to increase the surface area of the cell, improving the rates of release of metabolic wastes and the uptake of oxygen. The separation of the cytoplasm is thought to allow for increased control of the diffusion of large molecules within the cell, such as fat globules, and organelles." (from [http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/radiolaria/radmm.html])



=== Mechanical role ===

* locomotion (see [http://www.vcbio.science.ru.nl/eng/image-gallery/show/Fi003/gif/ reticulopodia in action])
* anchoring and/or stabilazing in/on sediment or on other substrata
* [[Feeding on diatoms|capture of food]] or grain particles
* transport of organelles, daughter cells, proteins, mineral grains, [[Feeding on diatoms|food particles]] etc.

=== Sensory role ===

* food search
* danger (stress signals) monitoring
* transfer of signals/information (probably via signal proteins)

=== Morphogenetic role ===

* shaping shell/chamber morphology


== Primary and derived reticulopodial features ==
(from [[BIBLIOGRAPHY|Bowser & Travis, 2002]] - p. 446, table 1)
 
"Primary features:

* branching and anastomosing pseudopodial pattern; contain cytoplasmic granules
* presence of MOVs (motility organizing vesicles)
* rapid, bidirectional transport of both granules and surface-attached particles
* extremely dynamic microtubule cytoskeleton, displaying axial (sliding) and lateral (bending) movements
* unique tubulin assembly/disassembly kinetics and storage polymorphs

Derived features:

* pseudopodial branching patterns and motile behaviors
* organelle complement (e.g., contractile vacuoles in ''Reticulomyxa'')
* 3D patterning of microtubules (e.g., coiling in ''Astrammina rara'')
* distribution of actin microfilaments
* surface elaborations, such as secreted adhesive matrices"


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Breuker, Ralf N. (1997): [http://doc-ralf.de/bio/Diss/Inhalt.htm#Anfang%20Inhaltsverzeichnis Cytoskelettkomponenten des plasmodialen Rhizopoden ''Reticulomyxa filosa'']. PhD Theses - Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften der Abteilung für Biologie an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum


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Closeup of ''Quinqueloculina'' sp. reticulopodia timelapse ~x100 speed
<mediaplayer>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbZp0PVoyo&NR=1</mediaplayer>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbZp0PVoyo&NR=1