An interesting group of testate amoebae is the genus Difflugia. There have been described hundreds of species, but the question is: how many of them are true species? Most descriptions are inaccurate of just based on one single test. Probably this group consists of several genera. Only DNA sequencing can help here. One of my projects is to make a visual map of all known species. It’s one of the most difficult taxa to identify.
P. pentangulostoma, after Quin et al., 2008 Pontigulasia pentangulostoma Quin et al., 2008 Diagnosis: Shell is brown, laterally uncompressed, parted to neck and body regions
Flabellula citata, from Dykova et al., 2008 Flabellula citata Schaeffer, 1926 Diagnosis: Length in locomotion 15-75 µm; width 25-55 µm. Shape very variable, from a
Puytoracia bergeri, from Nicholls, 2006 Puytoracia bergeri Nicholls, 2006 Diagnosis: Shell an oblong flattened cylinder, with rounded anterior and posterior ends. An invaginated pseudostome
Corythionella georgiana, after Nicholls, 2005 Corythionella georgiana Nicholls, 2005 Diagnosis: Shell translucent, colourless to pale yellow in colour, elongate-elliptical to nearly circular in outline (ventral
P. dziwnowi, after Nicholls, 2005 Psammonobiotus dziwnowi Nicholls, 2005 Diagnosis: Protoplast similar to that known for Psammonobiotus communis, emerging from the pseudostome as a single
after Decloitre, 1981 Trinema chardezi Decloitre, 1981 Diagnosis: Shell almost spherical; aperture circular. Dimensions: Length 25-28 µm; width 20-25 µm; aperture 10-12 µm. Ecology: Freshwater.