Drawing

Description :

Paraphysomonas corbidifera Pennick and Clarke, 1973. Cells motile, usually spherical, 2-3.25 microns in diameter. Two unequal flagella, one 2.5-3.0 times the cell body diameter in length, with two opposite rows of mastigonemes, each ending in a single fine filament, the other flagellum smooth, 2-2.5 microns in length. Cell body covered in numerous scales visible only under the electron microscope. Scales of one basic form, three-dimensional, open crown-like structures consisting of a basal ring 0.55 microns in diameter, connected by 5 or 6 equally spaced perpendicular rods, 0.125-0.15 microns long, to an apical ring. On the apical ring, halfway between each of these vertical rods, arise short horizontal rods supporting a central polygonal structure subdivided into further polygonal apertures. Cells colourless, nutrition phagotrophic. Reproduction asexual by binary fission. Image is of surface scale.