Home / Non-PS_Flagellates_and_Ciliates / Flagellates / Anisonema
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Name derivation:
Unequal flagella – unequal (Aniso-) flagella (-nema)
Morphology:
Cells flattened and rigid, or with a limited capacity to change shape ("squirm" as when being squashed). Two unequal flagella, the trailing flagellum usually several times longer than the cell, and with a thick basal part bending backwards as it emerges from the flagellar canal to give it a hook-like appearance. Anterior flagellum beats with a sweeping motion. Gliding movement interrupted by backward jerks. No ingestion organelle is visible with the light microscope. Reservoir on left side of cell (Larsen and Patterson 1990).
Similar genera:
Habitat:
References:
Larsen, J. and Patterson, D. J. 1990. Some flagellates (Protista) from tropical marine sediments. Journal of Natural History. 24:801-937.