Lithocolla

Genus Lithocolla Schulze, 1874

Diagnosis: cell surrounded by a layer of small irregular mineral grains, fixed on a thin flexible membrane; numerous fine smooth filopodia, without any granules (kinetocysts) which are so typical for true helizoans; plasmabody usually with a reddish or yellowish colour. Nucleus vesicular with central nucleolus. Fast movement.

Habitat: I have sampled Lithocolla-species in the marshes of Kortenhoef, in a small river in Neer, in the southern part of the Netherlands and in a shallow pond in a salt marsh on the island of Schiermonnikoog.

Remarks: The taxonomic status of this genus is uncertain. It is probably close related to nucleariid filose amoebae.

Two species.

Layer thick, with relatively large particles; reddish color: Lithocolla globosa
Layer thin, with small particles; plasma yellowish: Lithocolla flavescens

Lithocolla
Lithocolla spec. – Photomicrograph Eckhard Voelcker
Lithocolla
Ferry Siemensma, created March 1, 2019; last modified October 16, 2024
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