cyst, nuclei

Description:

Stephanopogon apogon (steff-anne-owe-poe-gone) is a marine genus of uncertain affinities and include a small handful of species. Cells are dorso-ventrally flattened, with a wide anterior mouth which may or may not have some barbs. It moves by using flagella which are laid out in longitudinal rows. For a long time erroneously considered to be a primitive ciliate (distinguished from real ciliates because it does not have macronuclei and micronuclei). This encysting cell can be seen to have several conventional nuclei with central nuceoli. Eats diatoms and detritus. Phase contrast.