Image of Hexamitidae

Description:

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an untreated water specimen extracted from a wild stream mainly used to control flooding during inclement weather, revealed the presence of unidentified organisms, which included bacteria, protozoa, and algae. Occupying most of the field of view, an unidentified amorphous mucoidal biofilm was featured, which appeared to have enmeshed numbers of amoeboid organisms, while on the left was a strangely-beautiful microorganism displaying an outer surface studded with numerous projections, making it appear like a microscopic sea urchin. See PHIL 11715 for a colorized version of this image.
Created: 2009