portrait

Descrição:

Diplomonad flagellate with a bilaterally compressed cell (5-30 µm) with two anterior nuclei, two lateral locomotory flagella, and two sets of three recurrent flagella situated in two posterior grooves. The anterior part of the cell is occupied by two crescent-shaped nuclei which abut on top. The two set of flagella are inserted on each side of the cell body near the equator at the base of each nucleus. The posterior half of the cell is grooved by two depressions or pockets each containing three recurrent flagella. The grooves are the site of ingestion of food, usually bacteria. One contractile vacuole forms in the middle part and discharges at the posterior end. Free-living in freshwater microaerophilic habitats.Image showing two lateral locomotory flagella (haematoxylin staining).