Fungus preying on amoebae
Two amoebae caught and killed by the fungus

Fungus (Acaulophage sp.) trapping amoebae

In 2016 I had a wet mount which was kept in a moisture chamber for some weeks. It revealed an amazing phenomenon. There were some filaments of a fungus (Acaulophage sp.)  present. Attached to these hyphae were specimens of Vannella simplex. What probably happened is the following: the amoebae came in contact with the hypha and were killed after some time. The fungus produced a side branch which penetrated into the amoeba and digested it, leaving a more or less empty membrane behind. In this membrane sometimes a branched hyphae could be observed. One time I observed a Thecamoeba specimen which came in contact with a hypha. It tried to escape several times, but lost it grip on the cover glass and bounced back every time (see video below). After about one hour it succeeded and escaped. Probably its cell membrane was thicker and less sensitive for the fungus.

Fungus preying on amoebae
Two amoebae killed by the fungus. a node where the hypha branches; b hypha inside the amoeba membrane.
Fungus preying on amoebae
Hypha inside a trapped amoeba
This video shows twice how a Thecamoeba cell is trying to escape from the fungus, but is bounced back every time.
This video shows the dead empty cell of Vannella simplex and the living content of the hypha.
Fungus preying on amoebae
Thecamoeba spec. which has been attached to the hypha for about an hour before it could rid of it.
Fungus preying on amoebae
Vannella simplex attached to the hypha
Fungus preying on amoebae
Vannella simplex attached to the hypha
Vannella simplex
Vannella simplex normal habitus
Ferry Siemensma, created March 3, 2019; last modified January 31, 2021
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