Neobodo

Bodo (boe-dough) saliens Larsen and Patterson, 1990. Cells are usually elongate elliptical and somewhat inflexible, and are 4 to 12 microns long (mostly 6 to 9 microns). Two flagella unequal in length emerge subapically from a shallow pocket. The anterior flagellum appears inactive, is as long as or slightly shorter than the cell and is held forwards with a single anterior curve held perpendicular to the substrate. The acronematic posterior flagellum is typically directed straight behind the cell and is about 2.2 to 3.5 times cell length. The cells swim in rapid darts in straight lines. Frequently observed. Description based on observations of 43 cells.

Bodo designis (beau-dough), small flagellate, with two flagella, moving with a rotating motion, skipping or gliding motion. One of the most common of the bodonids, found in almost every habitat so far studied. Moves by skipping near surfaces. It stops to ingest attached or detrital bacteria with the anterior mouth (in the rostrum). Phase contrast, rotten picture.

This image was made from samples taken during a scientific cruise in the Pacific. Water was filtered to concentrate the organisms that were present, then dried onto a thin sheet of plastic and then shadowed with a fine layer of metal to provide contrast. The preparation was then observed with an electron-microscope. This technique has been used to document the diversity of marine microbes, especially, protists in the oceans.

Bodo curvifilus Griessmann, 1913. Bodo cells that are oval or bean-shaped. The cells are 5 to 8 microns long, flattened, and pliable. The two flagella are unequal in length and insert subapically and to one side in a small pocket. The anterior flagellum is as long as the cell, is curved and beats slowly with a paddling motion. The trailing posterior flagellum is acronematic and is about 2.5 to 3 times the length of the cell. Cells normally glide but also may have a squirming movement.

Bodo saliens Larsen and Patterson, 1990. Bodo cells that are usually elongate elliptical and somewhat inflexible, and are 4 to 12 microns long (mostly 6 to 9 microns). Two flagella unequal in length emerge subapically from a shallow pocket. The anterior flagellum appears inactive, is as long as or sightly shorter than the cell and is held forwards with a single anterior curve held perpendicular to the substrate. The acronematic posterior flagellum is typically directed straight behind the cell and is about 2.2 to 3.5 times cell length. The cells swim in rapid darts in straight lines.

Bodo designis, small flagellate, with two flagella, moving with a rotating motion, skipping or gliding motion. The flagella insert into a small subapical pocket, as is suggested by the subapical depression. One of the most common of the bodonids, found in almost every habitat so far studied. Moves by skipping near surfaces. It stops to ingest attached or detrital bacteria with the anterior mouth (in the rostrum). Phase contrast

These two profiles of Bodo designis show its two flagella attached at the anterior end of the cell, and an acronematic posterior flagellum. The specimens were collected with a coverslip from sediments at low tide at Eel Pond, Woods Hole, MA. Photo by Banoo Malik.

Bodo (Boe-dough) designis Skuja, 1948. Cell outline is usually elliptical. Cells are 4 to 7 microns long with two unequal flagella emerging from a subapical pocket and are somewhat flexible. The anterior flagellum is about the length of the cell or slightly shorter and curves back over the rostrum. The anterior flagellum wraps around the anterior part of the cell and the mouth is pressed against food particles when the cell is feeding. The acronematic posterior flagellum is about 2 - 4 times the length of the cell and has a sinuous profile in swimming cells. The cells rotate around their longitudinal axes when swimming. The nucleus is located near the middle of the cell. Commonly observed.

Bodo designis Skuja, 1948. Bodo cells that are usually elliptical, 4 to 7 microns long with two unequal flagella emerging from a subapical pocket and are somewhat flexible. The anterior flagellum is about the length of the cell or slightly shorter and curves back over the rostrum. The anterior flagellum wraps around the anterior part of the cell and the mouth is pressed against food particles when the cell is feeding. The acronematic posterior flagellum is about 2 - 4 times the length of the cell and has a sinuous profile in swimming cells. The cells rotate around their longitudinal axes when swimming. The nucleus is located near the middle of the cell.

Bodo (Boe-dough) curvifilus Griessmann, 1913. Cell outline is oval or bean-shaped. The cells are 5 to 8 microns long, flattened, and pliable. The two flagella are unequal in length and insert subapically and to one side in a small pocket. The anterior flagellum is as long as the cell, is curved and beats slowly with a paddling motion. The trailing posterior flagellum is acronematic and is about 2.5 to 3 times the length of the cell. Cells normally glide but may have a squirming movement. Often observed.