Assessment of cell proportions during regeneration ofDileptus anser (Ciliata)

Following transection ofDileptus regulation of cell shape and cortical pattern was studied during regeneration in an attempt to understand the interrelations of these two regulation processes. The cell ofDileptus consists of two regions, proboscis and trunk, with the oral structures marking the border between them. The isolated proboscis is able to reorganize into a complete and correctly proportioned organism and the course of this reorganisation has been observed.Correct cell proportions take more than 24h to be established. Three hours after the operation the new border between proboscis and trunk is formed. Initially, the proportions of the cell are far from normal; moreover, they can temporarily change towards a more abnormal state. This indicates that the localisation of the border between the two cell regions and the assessment of final cell proportions are separate phenomena possibly controlled by different mechanisms.