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Pelomyxa (peal-o-mix-a), a large pelobiont which developed some reputation as possibly the most primitive eukaryote. This argument was based on the fact that it does not have mitochondria, conventional dictyosomes if any, flagella are aberrant, and nuclear division was also thought to be aberrant. The arguments for a primitive status now seem to be unsound. Cytoplasm with small particles of sand. eats algae and detritus. Moves with fountain-flow motion (cytoplasm moving forward up the centre of the cell and then spilling out near the front. Posterior end crumpled, to form a uroid. Phase contrast micrograph.
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Buderupholm Bjergskov, Rold Skov, Jylland, Danmark
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Allindelille Fredskov, Denmark
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Øls Krat V.f. Hobro, Jylland, Danmark
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Suserup Skov
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Mols Bjerge, Denmark
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Eastfield College, Mesquite, TX
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Mastigamoeba (massed-ig-a-me-ba) One of about 5 genera of pelobionts. These organisms are unusual in lacking mitochondria, dictyosomes and were for some time regarded as the most primitive of all eukaryotes. Most species which have been studied can adopt a variety of morphologies - including flagellates, amoebae, and cysts. The flagellates typically have one very long flagellum which beats in a fairly ineffectual fashion - and mostly progress by gliding. Body of cell most usually adopts an amoeboid form. Typically found in habitats with little or no oxygen. Phase contrast.
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Phalansterium (fah-lan-stear-ee-um) is a free-living flagellate, usually found in mucoid colonies, with a single apical flagellum surrounded with a tight apical collar. Phase contrast.
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Didymium nigripes.
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Trichia varia.
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Buderupholm Bjergskov, Rold Skov, Jylland, Danmark
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Allindelille Fredskov, Denmark
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Øls Krat V.f. Hobro, Jylland, Danmark
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Skjoldenæsholm, Midtsjælland
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Eastfield College, Mesquite, TX
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Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
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Stemonitis fusca.
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Trichia verrucosa.
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Specimen of medium cell size with typical monopodial locomotion. Scale bar indicates 250 µm. Sample from a freshwater pond on the island of Hiddensee (Baltic Sea, Germany). This image was taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.Image under Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA).