Lacertamoeba

Lacertamoeba is a genus of Amoebozoa that was first described by Alexey Smirnov and colleagues in 2011. The genus currently contains a single species, Lacertamoeba vernalis.

Taxonomy

The genus Lacertamoeba is classified within the phylum Amoebozoa, in the class Discosea, and the family Vannellidae. The genus was first described in 2011 by Alexey Smirnov and colleagues, who also described the only known species in the genus, Lacertamoeba vernalis.

Description

Lacertamoeba vernalis is a small amoeba, typically measuring 10-15 micrometers in diameter. It is characterized by a thin, flexible pellicle and a single, anteriorly located pseudopod. The cell body is typically irregular in shape, with a granular cytoplasm and a single, centrally located nucleus.

Habitat and distribution

Lacertamoeba vernalis has been found in freshwater environments in Russia, including in the vicinity of Saint Petersburg. It is likely that the species has a wider distribution that is currently known.

See also

• Amoebozoa
• Discosea
• Vannellidae
• Alexey Smirnov

External links

• Lacertamoeba vernalis at NCBI Taxonomy Browser