Amoebozoa

Description: Amoeba with a pellicle-like surface noticeable by a rather stiff appearance and, in this case, numerous wrinkles. Movement with a tractor-like rolling of the surface.  Size of locomotive form in this specimen 90x70 µm. Hyaloplasm as an antero-lateral crescent. Contractile vacuole located in posterior end of the cell. Nucleus spherical to ovoid, nucleolus of granular texture (see picture in lower right angle), sometimes divided in 2 or 3 fragments. Phase contrast ; nucleus in modified phase contrast. Amoeba was cultured in filtered water from original habitat and fed with Oscillatoria (Cyanobacteria), rests of which are seen in a food-vacuole in the centre.  It is one of the rugose species of the genus as described by Page and one of the typical representatives of Smirnov’s rugose morphotype.  A future zip-file may contain tables showing the peculiar phagocytosis of oscillatoria by Thecamoeba sphaeronucleolus as well as the fusion of two cells followed by encystment and cell division.  

Multicilia marina Cienkowski, 1881. Cells are normally spherical in a culture, about 30-40 microns in diameter, however,some cells attain an oblong or irregular form. The majority of cells possess 20-30 long flagella, 1.5-2 times the cell diameter. The flagella differ from those of other heterotrophic flagellates by very weak movements, resulting in a similarity to heliozoan axopods. The locomotion of M ulticilia is slow, rotatory, without any definitive direction, therefore moving cells normally lack anterior and posterior ends. Cells glide in one direction for a very short distance and may change direction rapidly (including moving backwards). The cell rolls over when changing direction. The temporary anterior flagellum is then stretched and clasped along the substratum, only its apex continues to oscillate. The temporary posterior flagellum shows the same behaviour. Other flagella perform irregular movements without any visible coordination. After changing the salinity, cells become free floating and continue a weak oscillation of the flagella.

This is a image of a sorocarp. Notice the slime trail at the base of the fruiting body.

Badhamia panicea.

Pelomyxa (peal-o-mix-a), a large pelobiont which developed some reputation as possibly the most primitive eukaryote. This argument was based on the fact that it does not have mitochondria, conventional dictyosomes if any, flagella are aberrant, and nuclear division was also thought to be aberrant. The arguments for a primitive status now seem to be unsound. Cytoplasm with small particles of sand. eats algae and detritus. Moves with fountain-flow motion (cytoplasm moving forward up the centre of the cell and then spilling out near the front. Posterior end crumpled, to form a uroid. Phase contrast micrograph.

Enteromyxa paludosa cell was showing very colorful metabolites and numerous nuclei and contractile vacuoles. In order to deliver depth of focus 50 high resolution frames (Planapo 63/1.4) were processed. The picture inserted showes 4 nuclei and two contractile vacuoles in higher magnification.  Sample from sphagnum pond situated in the northern alpine region of Austria near Salzburg. Images were taken using Zeiss Universal with Olympus C7070 CCD camera.  

Hårup Sande, Silkeborg, Jylland, Danmark

Suserup Skov, Danmark

Allindelille Fredskov, Denmark

Lille Øksø, Rold Skov, Jylland, Danmark

Øksedal, Sebbersund, Jylland, Danmark

Store Øksø, Rold Skov

Kridtstien, Nystrup Plantage, Thy, Danmark

Mushroom Observer Image 14386: Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (O.F. Müll.) T. Macbr.

Mushroom Observer Image 337067: Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (O.F. Müll.) T. Macbr.

Mushroom Observer Image 30714: Comatricha Preuss

Mushroom Observer Image 408950: Metatrichia floriformis (Schwein.) Nann.-Bremek.

Mushroom Observer Image 408285: Physarum cinereum (Batsch) Pers.

Mushroom Observer Image 414710: Trichia decipiens (Pers.) T. Macbr. 1899

Mushroom Observer Image 1012987: Hemitrichia Rostaf.

Mushroom Observer Image 485710: Physarum compressum Alb. & Schwein.

Mushroom Observer Image 114562: Lindbladia tubulina Fr.