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Description:

Cafeteria (cafeteria) is probably the most abundant heterotrophic flagellate in marine ecosystems. It is a voracious bacterivore. Sessile feeding cells are D-shaped, 1.5 to 10 microns long, and laterally compressed. There is a ventral groove, and the flagella insert at the head of the groove. The anterior flagellum draws a current of water towards the cell, or pulls the cell forward when it is swimming around. Feeding cells are usually attached to the substrate by the tip of the second flagellum. This cell is a little swollen. Animations by Rosemary Arbur of flagellar beat patterns are available here.Phase contrast.