Introduction
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A dormant amoeba cyst (not P. palustris), with a secreted protective membrane
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Life cycle
Previously, the genus Pelomyxa has contained up to 25 species. However, 18 of them have been identified with different phases of P. palustris. As is currently understood, a life cycle goes like this: in spring, small binucleate amoebae are released from cysts, mature amoebae that have hardened down into a fortified stage for the winter. The small amoebae grow, produce a large number of nuclei, engulf endosymbiotic bacteria, and develop a posterior bulb and flagella. Later, the amoebae become spherical, and the endosymbiotic bacteria assemble around the nuclei. The amoebae then fragment, either into cysts to endure the winter, or into more nascent amoebae[3].
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References
[1]Whatley, J. M. (1976). Bacteria and Nuclei in Pelomyxa Palustris: Comments on the Theory of Serial Endosymbiosis. New Phytologist, 76(1), 111-120.
[2]Griffin, J. (1988). Fine structure and taxonomic position of the giant amoeboid flagellate Pelomyxa palustris. The Journal Of Protozoology, 35(2), 300-315.
[3]http://eol.org/pages/491173/overview, http://eol.org/pages/62539/overview
[2]Griffin, J. (1988). Fine structure and taxonomic position of the giant amoeboid flagellate Pelomyxa palustris. The Journal Of Protozoology, 35(2), 300-315.
[3]http://eol.org/pages/491173/overview, http://eol.org/pages/62539/overview