detail

Description:

Portrait of Collodictyon, a free-living heterotrophic flagellate of uncertain affinity. The cell has a ventral groove, flanked posteriorly by two rounded projections. There are four flagella about one and a half times the cell length. The anterior nucleus with its prominent nucleolus is seen near the flagellar insertion. Numerous food vacuoles occupy the cytoplasm. Collodictyon is a voracious feeder. The cell ingests other protists via the central groove. A relationship to the biflagellate Dphyelleia has been suggested based on EM studies of the flagellar apparatus, dictyosomes and mitochondrial structure (Brugerolle, G. et al. Protist 153:59-70, 2002). From a temporary polysaprobic freshwater farm pond near Boise, Idaho. Differential interference contrast.