feeding

Description:

Colpodella (col-poe-dell-a), this is the only genus of apicomplexa (the group that includes the causative agent of malaria) which is not a parasite. Rather it is a free-swimming flagellate which attacks other protists using the anterior beak or rostrum. This attaches to the prey and sucks cytoplasm from the prey - as is illustrated here. With two flagella. Phase contrast.