Description of Jakoba libera
provided by BioPedia
The organism is a biflagellated protist with an acutely obovate cell body measuring 6-9.5 microns long, with most cells 7-8 microns in length. The anterior flagellum is inserted apically. It measures about one and a half times the length of the body and is held in a hook shape. The posterior flagellum is inserted slightly subapically, is about the same length as the anterior flagellum and lies in a ventral groove of the body. Normally it beats actively. Both flagella are acronematic. The cells may swim but usually adhere to debris with the crook of the anterior flagellum. They may deform and squirm when compressed in debris. During feeding, the posterior flagellum creates a current of water from which bacteria are removed. Bacteria are collected in the groove, ingested, and the resulting food vacuoles are found mostly in the posterior part of the cell.
