deformed individual (reduced chamber)

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, exhibits reduced chamber size in its second-to-last chamber, at bottom. Image courtesy of Dr. Elisabeth Alve, University of Oslo.  Citation: Alve, E. Benthic foraminifera reflecting pollution. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 21:1-19.