Drawing

Description:

Heteromita globosa Stein, 1878. Cells are 4 to 6 microns long, ovoid to roundish, and slightly flattened. Two flagella insert subapically in a slight depression. The anterior flagellum, slightly thinner than the posterior one, may be very short or about the same length as the body and may be directed anteriorly or posteriorly. The posterior flagellum is one to two and half times the length of the body. The nucleus is located anteriorly, the contractile vacuole posteriorly. Refractile granules and food vacuoles are often visible. Cells glide on the posterior flagellum, wobbling and frequently changing direction. The anterior flagellum beats stiffly if anteriorly directed. To engulf bacteria, cells stop moving and use ventral pseudopodia.