portrait

Description:

Heteronema (het-err-o-knee-ma), a genus of heterotrophic euglenid flagellates. Like other genera in the same taxonomic area (such as Peranema), the body is very flexible and can squirm (i.e. is metabolic). Common in freshwater and marine ecosystems, consuming bacteria, detritus and other protists using a small mouth located near the front of the cell. Quite variable in appearance. Differential interference contrast.