Theratromyxa

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. An empty cyst and the residue of a meal is shown here. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly - as illustrated here - , and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. An empty cyst is evident above the amoeba and its food. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole - as illustrated here - packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. An empty cyst is evident above the amoeba and its food. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia - as is illustrated here,. The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole - as illustrated here - packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. Differential interference contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly , and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. This picture shows a digestion cyst to the right and another more compact cyst to the left. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. An empty cyst is evident above the amoeba and its food. Differential interference contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia . The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. An empty cyst is evident above the amoeba and its food. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia, enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. Detail of cytoplasm and pseudopodia. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia, enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. Phase contrast.

Theratromyxa (thee-rat-row-mix-a) is a rarely reported large amoeba from soils. The organism may adopt an extended form with masses of cytoplasm separated from other masses by finer cytoplasmic strands. There are multiple nuclei and the impression is that these organisms can extend over many millimeters or centimetres. This strain eats nematodes. They are first caught with pseudopodia, enclosed within a food vacuole, packed tightly, and digested. The amoeba often encysts during this process or slightly afterwards. Such cysts are referred to as digestion cysts are are not suited for protection from drying out. The amoebae excyst to embark on another food expedition. Detail of cytoplasm and pseudopodia. Phase contrast.