swimming cell

Description:

Histiona (hist-ee-own-a) is a jakobid flagellate related to Jakoba. As with other excavates, there is a ventral groove and the flagella insert at the head of the groove. There are two flagella, one lying in the groove and one curving outwards from the point of insertion. These are the characteristics of the feeding cells, but they can also separate from the lorica and swim around. This is a swimming cell (theront). Phase contrast.