Amoeba leningradensis CCAP 1503/6. Inverted NikonDiaphot, phase contrast. Locomotive forms, nucleus and uroidal structures. Photo: A.Smirnov

Amoeba leningradensis Page & Kalinina, 1984 CCAP 1503/6 Lentgh in locomotion 160-550 mkm (average about 360 mkm). In locomotion amoebae are polypodial (polytactic) under favourable conditions, but always with pronounced leading pseudopodium or monopodial, nearly without longitudial wrinkles. Crystals are truncate bipyramids, numerous, always giving amoebae dark appearance. Floating form has several thick pseudopodia of unequal length, radiating from the central mass of the cytoplasm. Nucleus of granular type, spherical, slightly compressed (thus appearing ovoidal), 21-29 mkm in diameter (average 25 mkm). Surface coat consists of amorphous glycocalyx, less then 20 nm thick; mitochondrial heteromorphism not known, all mitochondria have dark matrix; honeycomb-like nuclear lamina (Page & kalinina, 1984). Amoebae of this species form less pseudopodia than A. proteus and are much more smooth. The cytoplasm always appears to be very dark, especially under the dissectional microscope. Identification require special attention. As far as I know, the only record of this species is from the original isolation site.TEM of the cell coat is obligate for correct identification. Incompatible with other species of the genus Amoeba by nuclear transplantation. Note that the name "Metamoeba leningradensis" suggested by Friz (1992: Arch. Protistenk. 142: 29-40) for this species basing on the protein polymorphism is introduced without any proper revision of the genus Amoeba and without any proper diagnosis of the "new genus" Metamoeba. Thus, the genus Metamoeba is invalid, and the combination "Metamoeba leningradensis" should not be used! Freshwater, North-Western Russia. Cultivation: PJ medium + Tetrahymena. Can be maintained for some time in PJ + wheat (rise) grain, in presence of Tetrahymena. The type strain is available from Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, CEH Windermere, UK. Basic references for identification: Page F.C. and Kalinina L.V. 1984. Amoeba leningradensis n. sp. (Amoebidae): a taxonomic study incorporating morphological and physiological aspects. Arch. Protistenk. 128: 37-53. Page F.C. 1988. A new key to freshwater and soil gymnamoebae. FBA, Ambleside. 122p. Page F.C. 1991. Nackte Rhizopoda. in: Protozoenfauna, b.2. Gustav Fisher, Stuttgart. 3-172. Note that the keys by Page from 1988 and 1991 harbour slightly different sets of illustrations for this species. Back to checklist of species