portrait

Description:

Vampyrella, classified currently with the amoebae of uncertain affinities (formerly included with the filose amoebae). Cells may be rounded with few pseudopodia or more flattened with fine branching pseudopodia. The cytoplasm is orange to pinkish in color with numerous granules which obscure the nucleus and contractile vacuole in these images. Vampyrella is algivorous, feeding on filamentous algae as seen in this image. The amoeba drills a small hole in the algal cell wall and consumes the contents. From freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Phase contrast.