portrait

Description:

Carpediemonas (car-ped-ee-o-moan-ass), an excavate flagellate - in that there is a ventral groove (to the right of this cell) that is used in feeding. Two flagella insert at the head of the groove. One lies within the groove and beats rapidly, the other extends forward and usually curving back over the anterior end of the cell as in this image. A flap of cytoplasm moves backwards along the groove every few seconds when cells are actively feeding. Nucleus located near the anterior pole of the cell. Phase contrast.