FIGURE 3 in The dorsal plate is a critical feature in the reassessment of the rotiferan genus Ptygura (Monogononta; Gnesiotrocha; Flosculariidae)

FIGURE 3. SEM images of the dorsal plate. A: antero-ventral region of a dried specimen of Beauchampia crucigere showing the body integument (b) and the dorsal plate (dp) with its stiffened tubular process (t) containing the dorsal antenna (da) with the terminal sensory filaments coming out the end. B: dorsal plate of a dried specimen of Limnias melicerta showing the dorsal plate (dp) with its species-specific seven protrusions (p). C: antero-dorsal region of a specimen of Ptygura ctenoida fixed with hot glutaraldehyde showing the body integument (b) and the dorsal plate (dp) with its aligned short hooks (sh). D: dorsal plate (dp) and long branched hooks (bh) of a dried specimen of Ptygura furcillata. E: dried specimen of Ptygura innominata showing the body integument (b) and the dorsal plate (dp) with its long-branched, antler-like hooks (ah). F: closeup of figure E, showing pores (arrowhead) and difference of surface ultrastructure between the dorsal plate (dp) and the body integuments (b). Arrows mark continuity between dorsal plate and the rest of the integument. Bars: 20 µm for A to E; 5 µm for F.