Arcellinida Temporal range:
| |
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Arcella sp. test | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Phylum: | Amoebozoa |
Class: | Tubulinea |
Superorder: | Eulobosia |
Order: | Arcellinida Kent 1880 |
Arcellinid testate amoebae or Arcellinida,[1] Arcellacean[2] or lobose testate amoebae[3] are single-celled protists partially enclosed in a simple test (shell).
Arcellinid testate amoebae are commonly found in soils, leaf litter, peat bogs and near/in fresh water.[1] They use their pseudopodia, a temporary cell extension, for moving and taking in food. Like most amoebae, they are generally believed to reproduce asexually via binary fission. However a recent review suggests that sexual recombination may be the rule rather than the exception in amoeboid protists in general, including the Arcellinid testate amoebae.[4]