Genus MASTIGAMŒBA F. E. Schultze '75.

(Kent '81; Bütschli '86; Klebs '92; Senn 1900.)

In general the form is oval and either regular in outline or irregular through the presence of many pseudopodia. One flagellum usually quite large and distinct. Differentiation of ectoplasm and endoplasm distinct or wanting. One to several contractile vacuoles. The pseudopodia are occasionally withdrawn, and the flagellum is the sole means of locomotion. In some cases the flagellum turns into a pseudopodium, and, conversely, the pseudopodium at one end may become a flagellum (see below). In some rare cases the ectoplasm secretes a gelatinous mantle. Reproduction not observed.

Fresh and salt water.

Mastigamœba simplex, n. sp. Fig. 7.

A very small form, first seen in the flagellated stage, aroused my interest by reason of the fact that its flagellum lost its regular outline and became amœboid, turning to a pseudopodium, while at the same time other pseudopodia were protruded from different parts of the periphery. In this condition ectoplasm and endoplasm could be made out with the clearest definition. After the pseudopodia were well formed, the body became flat and closely attached to the glass slide. In a short time one of the pseudopodia became longer than the rest; the body became more swollen; the pseudopodia were gradually drawn in, with the exception of the more elongate one; this became active in movement and finer in diameter, until ultimately it formed a single flagellum at the anterior of a small monadiform flagellate. The process was repeated two or three times under my observation, so that I am convinced that it was not a developmental form of some rhizopod. Several of them were seen at different times during the summer, and they were always of the same size and form in the flagellated or amœboid condition. I did not make out their reproduction, and I shall not be satisfied that this is a good species until their life history is known.

In decaying algæ. Length 10µ.

Fig. 7.—Mastigamœba simplex.
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