portrait

Description:

Foaina (foe-een-a) is one of the trichomonad flagellates - mostly endobiotic with four flagella arising from a point near the front of the cell. Three anterior free flagella and one recurrent one adhering to the cell body only on its proximal part. Usually with several cytoskeletal structures, an axial axostyle made of microtubules which encloses the nucleus anteriorly, as well as a costa which often lies under one of the flagella. The axostyle projects from the posterior end of the cell and may be adapted to form a holdfast which attaches the cell to a piece of debris. Parabasal body (dictyosomes) rod-, disc- or V-shaped. Consumes particles of wood. From the termite Kalotermes. Phase contrast.