portrait
Amastigomonas (a-ma-stig-o-moan-ass), one of two genera of apusomonad flagellates. Extremely common and widespread. Moves by gliding with one projecting flagellum and one flagellum trailing under the cell (just visible in a lighter groove in the posterior right half of the cell). Apusomonads are distinguished by having the dorsal surface of the cell covered by a thick layer or theca. this extends around the base of the anterior flagellum (the edges of it are visible in the image as two lines on either side of the flagellum. The anterior flagellum is acronematic - the tip region is much narrower than the rest. Eats bacteria and detritus. From marine and freshwater habitats, mostly in sediments but associated with almost all submerged surfaces. This picture was taken by Linda Amaral Zettler, and David Patterson of material from the freshwater Lamont Pond (New York State, USA). Image copyright: L Amaral-Zettler and D. J. Patterson, image used under license to MBL (micro*scope).
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Amastigomonas debruynei
From the collection
Lamont Pond, freshwater, New York
| Description of Amastigomonas debruynei: Cells are 5 to 6.5 microns long, dorso-ventrally flattened and flexible but not amoeboid. The anterior flagellum emerges from the tip of a laterally directed sleeve and beats in a small angle. The posterior flagellum is slightly longer than the length of the cell, lies in a groove along the margin of the cell, trails under the cell and occasionally protrudes behind the cell. Strands of cytoplasm may be drawn out behind the cell. The nucleus is situated in the anterior left of the cell. |
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