Mastigella

 Amoeboid cells with an apical flagellum and the nucleus removed some distance from the flagellum. Reportedly without direct connection between the two, although unpublished ultrastructural studies indicate that connections are present. The cells are naked but some species may have adhering bacteria. Pseudopodia are simple or absent and there may be one 1 or many contractile vacuoles. Swimming is disorderly, cells may glide. One species at least described with aflagellated amoebae and cyst in life cycle. The distinction between this genus and Mastigamoeba is probably not sustainable. With about 150 nominal species, many of which have been reported by Skvortzkov and Noda (1975) and are probably not distinct species. Published ultrastructure includes examination of symbiotic methanogens and general treatment (Walker, Simpson, Sogin, Patterson. 2001. Ultrastructural identities of Mastigamoeba punctachora, Mastigamoeba simplex and Mastigella commutans and assessment of hypotheses of relatedness of the pelobionts (Protista). European Journal of Protistology 37: 25-49). Type species: Mastigella polymastix Frenzel, 1897.