Drawing

Description:

Bicosoeca gracilipes James-Clark, 1867. Bicosoeca cells with a body that is oval, 3.5-7 x 3-4.5 microns Cells may be nearly the same size as the lorica or else only half as long. Two flagella insert at the base of the cytostome. The posterior flagellum lies in a conspicuous longitudinal groove and attaches directly to the base of the lorica. The anterior flagellum varies between 2 and 5 times the cell length, and is held in almost the same axis as the cell, but is slightly curved. The lorica is thin-walled and has almost parallel sides, but is slightly pointed at the posterior. The anterior margin of the lorica is closely adpressed to extended cells and can only be seen when the cell retracts. It usually curves outwards slightly, but may also be straight, or curve inwards slightly. The lorica has a fine pedicel of 2.5-4.5 times the cell length. The nucleus is posterior.