portrait

Description:

Cryptodifflugia, a small testate amoeba in the order Arcellinida. The test is organic, sometimes with an inner calcified layer. The test is clear and may be colorless or brown to yellow. The test is flask or egg-shaped and round to slightly ovoid in cross section (illustrations based on Penard's description show a slightly ovoid shape in cross section as seen in the aboral apical image included here). There are approximately 20 species in the genus, perhaps more since some consider Difflugiella to be synonymous. The aperture is terminal and round to ovoid. The nucleus is vesicular. A contractile vacuole is seen in the cell to the right. Feeds on bacteria and yeasts. From organically enriched slow moving outflow of freshwater pond near Boise, Idaho. Brightfield illumination.