Hexamitinae

Trepomonas (tree-poe-moan-ass) is one of the free-living diplomonad flagellates. As with almost all diplomonads there are two anterior nuclei and two sets of flagella, one set associated with each nucleus. Different genera are distinguished largely by the numbers and relative lengths of the flagella. his genus has one long anterior flagellum in each group, and three very short ones lying within each of the lateral grooves. The anterior flagella are not evident here. Phase contrast

Trepomonas (tree-poe-moan-ass) is one of the free-living diplomonad flagellates. As with almost all diplomonads there are two anterior nuclei and two sets of flagella, one set associated with each nucleus. Different genera are distinguished largely by the numbers and relative lengths of the flagella. This genus has one long anterior flagellum in each group, and three very short ones lying within each of the lateral grooves. Differential interference contrast.

Trepomonas (tree-poe-moan-ass) is one of the free-living diplomonad flagellates. As with almost all diplomonads there are two anterior nuclei and two sets of flagella, one set associated with each nucleus. Different genera are distinguished largely by the numbers and relative lengths of the flagella. his genus has one long anterior flagellum in each group, and three very short ones lying within each of the lateral grooves. Phase contrast.

With one long flagellum projecting from each groove on opposing sides of the cell. Encountered in organically very enriched sediments. Phase contrast optics. 

With two long flagella projecting from the grooves on opposing sides of the cell. There are three other flagella in each groove, and one of these (left side) has also emerged from the groove. Phase contrast micrograph. 

Trepomonas agilis: A diplomonad flagellate with a single prominant lateral flagella on each side. Three pairs of additional flagella lodged in the lateral grooves is also present, not visible in this image. This image was taken by Krishnakumar B. from one of the anaerobic bioreactors for organic rich wastewater treatment in Regional Research Laboratory-Trivandrum (CSIR-India).

Trepomonas (tree-poe-moan-ass) agilis Dujardin, 1841. Cell is ovoid, but S-shaped in cross section and is about 11 microns long. Two nuclei are located anteriorly. Two groups of flagella are inserted laterally at the end of each groove: two long flagella and six short flagella. The length of the long flagella was not measured, but the short falgella are less than half the cell length and lie in the grooves. The cell moves by swimming. Contractile vacuoles are seen. Rarely observed.

Trepomonas (tree-poe-moan-ass) agilis Dujardin, 1841. Cells are 8-12microns long, S-shaped in cross-section, ovoid, egg-shaped or elongate. Two opposed grooves run spirally, along the posterior two thirds to three quarters of the cell. Four flagella insert at the head of each groove. Of these, one flagellum, the same length as the cell or slightly shorter, is directed laterally. The other flagella are less than half the length of the cell, are directed posteriorly and lie within the groove. Two elongate nuclei are located anteriorly. The cytoplasm has a granular appearance, and exhibits cyclosis. Food vacuoles and empty vacuoles are scattered within the cell. Cells rotate smoothly as they swim.

Trepomonas agilis (Dujardin, 1841). Cell is ovoid, but S-shaped in cross section. Two nuclei are located anteriorly. Two groups of flagella are inserted laterally at the end of each groove: two long flagella and six short flagella. The short falgella are less than half the cell length and lie in the grooves (seen best here to viewer's left). Contractile vacuoles are seen.Collected from putifying sample from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho.DIC.

Trepomonas agilis Dujardin, 1841. Cell is ovoid, but S-shaped in cross section. Two nuclei are located anteriorly (densley stained here). Two groups of flagella are inserted laterally at the end of each groove: two long flagella and six short flagella (seen here).Stained by the silver carbonate technique (see Foissner, W. Europ. J. Protistol., 27:313-330;1991). Collected from a putrifying sample from a freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho.Brightfield.

Diplomonad flagellate with a bilaterally compressed cell (5-30 µm) with two anterior nuclei, two lateral locomotory flagella, and two sets of three recurrent flagella situated in two posterior grooves. The anterior part of the cell is occupied by two crescent-shaped nuclei which abut on top. The two set of flagella are inserted on each side of the cell body near the equator at the base of each nucleus. The posterior half of the cell is grooved by two depressions or pockets each containing three recurrent flagella. The grooves are the site of ingestion of food, usually bacteria. One contractile vacuole forms in the middle part and discharges at the posterior end. Free-living in freshwater microaerophilic habitats.Image showing two lateral locomotory flagella (haematoxylin staining). 

Diplomonad flagellate with a bilaterally compressed cell (5-30 µm) with two anterior nuclei, two lateral locomotory flagella, and two sets of three recurrent flagella situated in two posterior grooves. The anterior part of the cell is occupied by two crescent-shaped nuclei which abut on top. The two set of flagella are inserted on each side of the cell body near the equator at the base of each nucleus. The posterior half of the cell is grooved by two depressions or pockets each containing three recurrent flagella. The grooves are the site of ingestion of food, usually bacteria. One contractile vacuole forms in the middle part and discharges at the posterior end. Free-living in freshwater microaerophilic habitats. Image showing two two anterior crescent-shaped nuclei (haematoxylin) 

Transmission EM, longitudinal section showing the lateral insertion of the basal bodies/flagella and the two posterior cytostomal dimples.

Transmission EM, posterior transverse section showing the two opposite cytostomal openings containing three recurrent flagella.

ATCC culture 50286.

Hexamita (hex-a-mite-a), a free living diplomonad flagellate. With two sets of four flagella (in each set) inserting near the front of the cell. Three of the flagella are visible on the right side, and bits of all four on the right. Normally associated with anoxic habitats. Phase contrast.

Hexamita (hex-a-mite-a), a free living diplomonad flagellate. Diplomonads are so-called because most members of the group have two nuclei, and have clusters of up to 4 flagella emerging from opposing sides of the cell. They arise in grooves, which are believed to correspond to the ventral grooves of the excavate flagellates. Normally associated with anoxic habitats. Diplomonads are probably best known because one their members, Giardia, is significant as a parasite of the intestinal system, and because it is prominent in studies on the evolution of eukaryotic cells - "clinging resolutely" to the base of the eukaryotic tree as our best candidate for the most primitive eukaryote. They occur in organically enriched habitats and habitats with low levels of oxygen. They eat bacteria and may be able feed osmotrophically. Phase contrast.

Hexamita (hex-a-mite-a), a free living diplomonad flagellate. Diplomonads are so-called because most members of the group have two nuclei, and have clusters of up to 4 flagella emerging from opposing sides of the cell. They arise in grooves, which are believed to correspond to the ventral grooves of the excavate flagellates. Normally associated with anoxic habitats. Diplomonads are probably best known because one their members, Giardia, is significant as a parasite of the intestinal system, and because it is prominent in studies on the evolution of eukaryotic cells - "clinging resolutely" to the base of the eukaryotic tree as our best candidate for the most primitive eukaryote. The two nuclei are at the anterior (top) and the junction between them is seen as a dark line. The flagellar grooves and some of the flagella are evident. Phase contrast.

Hexamita (hex-a-mite-a), a free living diplomonad flagellate. Diplomonads are so-called because most members of the group have two nuclei, and have clusters of up to 4 flagella emerging from opposing sides of the cell. They arise in grooves, which are believed to correspond to the ventral grooves of the excavate flagellates. Normally associated with anoxic habitats. Diplomonads are probably best known because one their members, Giardia, is significant as a parasite of the intestinal system, and because it is prominent in studies on the evolution of eukaryotic cells - "clinging resolutely" to the base of the eukaryotic tree as our best candidate for the most primitive eukaryote. The two nuclei are at the anterior (top) and the junction between them is seen as a dark line. The flagellar grooves and some of the flagella are evident. Phase contrast.