Cercomonads are small amoeboflagellates, widespread in aqueous habitats and common in soils.
Characteristics
The cells are generally around 10 μm in length, without any shell or covering. They produce filose pseudopods to capture bacteria, but do not use them for locomotion, which usually takes place by gliding along surfaces.
Most members have two flagella, one directed forward and one trailing under the cell, inserted at right angles near its anterior. The nucleus is connected to the flagellar bases and accompanied by a characteristic paranuclear body.
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Classification
Genetic studies place the cercomonads among the Cercozoa, a diverse group of amoeboid and flagellate protozoans.
They are divided into two families.
- The Heteromitidae tend to be relatively rigid, and produce only temporary pseudopods.
- The Cercomonadidae are more plastic, and when food supplies are plentiful may become amoeboid and even multinucleate.
The classification of genera and species continues to undergo revision. Some genera have been merged, like Cercomonas and Cercobodo. Others like Helkesimastix, Sainouron and Cholamonas have been moved to Helkesida, while the rest of the family Heteromitidae has been moved to Glissomonadida.
- Cavernomonas <small>Vickerman 2009</small>
- Cercomonas <small>Dujardin 1841 emend. Karpov et al. 2006 non emend. Ekelund et al. 2004</small> [Cercobodo <small>Krassilstschick 1886</small>; Cercomastix <small>Lemmermann 1913</small>; Dimastigamoeba <small>Blochmann 1894</small>; ?Mukdeniamonas <small>Skwortzov 1960</small>; ?Changia <small>Skwortzov 1960 non Sun 1924</small>; ?Reptomonas <small>Kent 1880</small>; Dimorpha <small>Klebs 1892 non Gruber 1882</small>]
- Eocercomonas <small>Karpov et al. 2006</small>
- Filomonas <small>Cavalier-Smith & Karpov 2012</small>
- Neocercomonas <small>Ekelund, Daugbjerg & Fredslund 2004</small>