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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 3991

Frederick C. Page; A Light- and Electron-Microscopical Study of Protacanthamoeba caledonica n. sp., Type-Species of Protacanthamoeba n. g. (Amoebida, Acanthamoebidae). J.Protozool. 28(1):70-78, 1981

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In its amoeboid stage, Protacanthamoeba caledonica n. g., n. sp. closely resembles the genus Acanthamoeba, on both light- and electron-microscopical levels, including possession of a centrosphere with a plaque-shaped centriole-like body. The cyst wall differs from that of Acanthamoeba in lack of preformed exit pores and in fine structure; the occasional apparent division into exocyst and endocyst is due to irregular splitting. The strain isolated from a Scottish estuary did not grow 37 degrees C and did not grow normally on agar made with 25% sea water, but cysts remained viable after a week in full-strength sea water. Protacanthamoeba n. g. is distinguished from Acanthamoeba on the basis of cyst structure, but it is assigned to the family Acanthamoebidae.