portrait

Description:

Portrait of Bicosoeca petiolata, a colorless loricate flagellate (synonymous with Poteriodendron petiolatum). This species is colonial with daughter cells forming stalks attached to the mother lorica after division. Most species of this genus are solitary. The cells of this colony are retracted with the long hair bearing flagellum tightly coiled on the anterior end of the cell (seen well in the cell on your left in this image). The second short smooth flagellum is directed posteriorly attaching the cell to its lorica. The lorica is organic. From fresh water marsh with Typha (Cattail) near Boise, Idaho. Differential interference contrast.