deformed individual

Description:

Foraminiferans living in polluted environments often show alterations in the morphology of their tests. This individual, isolated from a site in Norway which is contaminated with heavy metals, has protuberances on two of its chambers (bottom), which distort the characteristic coiling pattern of the test. Image courtesy of Dr. Elisabeth Alve, University of Oslo.  Citation: Alve, E. Benthic foraminifera reflecting pollution. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 21:1-19.