Centropyxis orbicularis
Centropyxis orbicularis, in lateral (left) and ventral view (soil, Croatia, 2023)

Centropyxis orbicularis  Deflandre, 1929

Diagnosis: Shell in lateral view hemispherical, in dorsal view nearly circular;  aperture elongated‑elliptical, more arched along the margin that follows the outer contour of the shell. Shell usually build of numerous small quartz particles, sometimes mixed or replaced with small diatoms, embedded in a layer of organic cement; shell light gray or brown yellow, depending upon the density of the embedded xenosomes, which are sometimes absent aperture often with some larger quartz particles along the border.

Dimensions: Deflandre (1929) and Bonnet & Thomas (1960): Diameter 100-140 µm, height 70 and 50-95 µm respectively. Siemensma (2025, www.arcella.nl): Width 98-145 µm, height 62-96 µm.

Remarks: Very dark specimens are easily overlooked among debris. The species described by Lüftenegger et al. (1988) is probably a different one, as its circular aperture differs markedly from that described by Deflandre (1929).

Centropyxis orbicularis

After Deflandre (1929)
Centropyxis orbicularis
C. orbicularis, ventral view – Oostvaarders Plassen, Netherlands, 2025
Centropyxis orbicularis
C. orbicularis, lateral view – Oostvaarders Plassen, Netherlands, 2025
Centropyxis orbicularis
C. orbicularis, ventral view – Oostvaarders Plassen, Netherlands, 2025
Centropyxis orbicularis
C. orbicularis, ventral view – Oostvaarders Plassen, Netherlands, 2025
Centropyxis orbicularis
C. orbicularis, lateral view – Oostvaarders Plassen, Netherlands, 2025
Centropyxis orbicularis
Centropyxis orbicularis
Shell in side view, 100 µm in diameter, and same shell in dorsal view

References:
Deflandre, G. (1929): Le genre Centropyxis STEIN. – Arch. Protistenkd. 67: 322-375

Ferry Siemensma, created February 27, 2019; last modified July 08, 2026
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