pseudopodia

Description:

Cyphoderia (sigh-fo-dear-ee-a) is a shelled amoebae. This one has thin branching pseudopodia. The amoeba is protected by a loosely fitting lorica which has a single aperture through which the pseudopodia emerge. This form is thought to provide protection from the damaging effects of surface tension of water - something which many organisms living in the spaces between intertidal sand particles are likely to encounter as the tide goes out. Individual genera and species are mostly distinguished by the texture of the surface of the lorica. Not so common in marine habitats, more common in soils. Phase contrast.