portrait

Description:

Pyrsonympha (pierce-o-nymph-a) is an oxymonad flagellate, a group found as endobionts within termites etc. This one came from Reticulotermes. Pyrsonympha may or may not have an anterior holdfast, four - eight flagella, typically adhering to the cell surface. With an axostyle which may or may not emerge from the end of the cell . They may or may not have associated epibiotic bacteria, as here. Phase contrast.