Euglypha strigosa
(Ehrenberg, 1848) Leidy, 1878
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n.a.
Sampling location: Moss, Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Euglypha strigosa
Diagnosis:
- shell ovoid, laterally compressed, elliptic in transverse section
- length of shell 45–100 µm
- shell composed of oval siliceous scales
- spines scattered over shell
- aperture oval, surrounded by apertual-plates with denticulate distal ends
- nucleus globular in posterior third of cell
So far I have only found Euglypha strigosa in the Simmelried and in moss samples. I find the specimens regularly, but not very frequently.
Euglypha strigosa can be recognized by the hexagonal pattern of the shell, which is caused by the overlapping of the oval scales. The shell is irregularly covered with short spines, which are glued to the shell by the amoeba with an organic cement. They are therefore not part of the scales. In the specimens of my population, the spines were mostly localized on the outer edges of the flattened shell. There were only a few or no spines at all on the frontal surfaces.
The mouth opening is surrounded by 10-12 specially shaped, large scales. These are broadly oval and there are 7 thickened tips at their distal end. The middle tip is thickened almost like a button.
More images and information on Euglypha strigosa: Ferry Siemensma-Microworld-Euglypha strigosa
Fig. 1 a-c: Euglypha strigosa. L = 72 µm. Three focal planes of an unsquashed specimen. Nu = nucleus. Obj. 60 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Euglypha strigosa. L = 72 µm. The slightly squashed specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-c. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 3: Euglypha strigosa. L = 72 µm. The scales of the shell in detail. Note the denticulated apertural scales with a thickened, knob-shaped distal end. The spines (arrow) are fixed on the shell with an organic cement. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 4: Euglypha strigosa. If the focal plane is adjusted slightly below, the “true“ shape of the scales becomes visible (arrows). They are oval and the seemingly hexagonal pattern of the shell is created by their overlapping. Obj. 100 X.