portrait

Description:

Spumella, a colorless chrysophyte flagellate. Cells are solitary and may be free-swimming or attached to subratum by drawn out posterior as seen here. The cell body is pyriform and truncate anteriorly with two unequal length flagella (the longer with tripartite hairs visible only by electron-microscopy, the short one smooth). Cells are phagotrophic. One or more contractile vacuoles. From temporary rainwater pool in grass field near Boise, Idaho. Phase contrast.