Vahlkampfiidae

Vahlkampfiid with amoeba, cyst and biflagellated stage resembling the flagellate stage of Naegleria. The genus being distinguished by lack of excystment pores in cyst wall and by the presence of a mucus sheath around the cyst. Monotypic genus found in soil.

Monotypic vahlkampfiid genus, with cyst, amoeba and flagellate phenotypes. Flagellates measure 15-20 µm, usually with two flagella but up to six reported, an anterior curved lip is present but ingestion not observed in original study. Flagellates may divide. Paratetramitus is most similar to Heteramoeba, being distinguished principally by chromatin distribution in the nucleus. Cyst walls without excystment pores.

Vahlkampfiid with cysts, amoeba, and flagellate stage. Flagellate measures 16 - 22 µm. According to the original description normally with three flagella inserting in a deep depression, but no mouth - although the flagellated form has been reported as dividing. Cyst with pores. The nature of the taxon is unclear but probably related to the vahlkampfiids

Schizopyrenids in which the nucleolus forms two polar masses during mitosis (promitosis). Amoeboid form usually cylindrical and usually uninucleate. Most species with a flagellated stage. Vahlkampfia lacks a flagellated stage.

Vahlkampfiid with amoeboid stage, multi-pored cyst and flagellated stage which can divide. Flagellate 19 - 20 µm in length with four flagella and no cytostome. Synonymy with Protonaegleria (Michel and Raether 1985) suggested by Page (1988). Protonaegleria was distinguished by having a flagellated stage in the life cycle, but this was subsequently confirmed for Willaertia (Robinson et al., 1989). There is a rhizoplast and curving microtubular rootlets as in Tetramitus (Michel et al., 1987). Division of flagellate reported in Page (1988). Distinguishable from Tetramastigamoeba by having plugged pores in the cyst.

Vahlkampfiidae is a family of Heterolobosea.

It includes the following genera:

Monopylocystis Naegleria Neovahlkampfia Paravahlkampfia Psalteriomonas Sawyeria Tetramitus Vahlkampfia Willaertia