Figure 6

Interactions and cytoplasmic exchange between trypanosome gametes. Red and green fluorescent trypanosomes derived from tsetse salivary glands were mixed ex vivo and fixed after a period of approximately 30 minutes. A. Cluster of interacting trypanosomes in a mixture of F1G2 (green fluorescence) and 1738 RFP (red fluorescence). Two yellow fluorescent trypanosomes are arrowed. Scale bar 5 μm. B. Cluster of interacting trypanosomes in a mixture of F1G2 (green fluorescence) and F1R1 (red fluorescence). Two adjacent yellow fluorescent trypanosomes are indicated by the arrow. These two yellow trypanosomes and the adjacent green trypanosome display the typical morphology of trypanosome gametes with a short, pear-shaped body and long flagellum. Scale bar 5 μm. C. Large cluster and two pairs of interacting trypanosomes from the intraclonal mixture of 1738 RFP and 1738 GFP. Many of these trypanosomes show the typical gamete morphology (pear-shaped body, long flagellum), particularly the red-green pair bottom right. No yellow trypanosomes are present. Scale bar 10 μm.