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Phacus (Euglenidae)

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Diagnostic features

Cell wall composed of a proteinaceous pellicle (as in Euglena), but too rigid to flex. Cells generally rounded and flattened (twisted in one species), with a pointed tail at one end and a flagellum at the other, emerging from a reservoir. There is a prominent red eyespot adjacent to the reservoir, and usually a large ring of paramylon in the cell centre. The cell surface may be ridged. Chloroplasts are green and numerous.

[Phacus] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua Image
Phacus (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua
[Phacus] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Phacus (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Abundant in nutrient-rich ponds, including sewage ponds

Classification

Kingdom Protozoa
Phylum Euglenozoa
Class Euglenoidea
Order Euglenida
Family Euglenidae
Common name Euglenoids