

Pellita spec.
This amoeba was found in dry moss on a tree in De Treek, the Netherlands. There were numerous amoebae in the sample and they resembled somewhat a Cochliopodium species, but without any visible trace of plate scales. Remarkable were the ring shaped bulges of cytoplasm on the ventral side of the amoeba. These bulges are small subpseudopodia which serve as tiny legs supporting the body during locomotion, which was very slow. During locomotion these subpseudopodia remain in place while the cell is rolling like a caterpillar. Cells have one contractile vacuole and some small crystals. Air dried shells didn’t show any scales, but only folds and a hole.
The cells were about 25 µm in diameter and the single nucleus was c. 4.7 µm.












Right: air dried specimen, with folds and a hole.