Obligate amoebae of the protostelids: significance for the concept of Eumycetozoa.
Most flagellate Eumycetozoa have a non-flagellate, or obligately amoeboid, trophic state which differentiates from the amoebo-flagellate state and gives rise to the fruiting body. This study examines the morphology, general ultrastructure, and microtubular systems of the obligate amoebae of three flagellate protostelids with typical amoebo-flagellate states. The obligate amoebae of all three species are morphologically distinct indicating that the obligately amoeboid state has evolved independently in the history of each species. Therefore, obligate amoebae may be useful for defining separate evolutionary groups within the Eumycetozoa.
D005075:Biological Evolution; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009235:Myxomycetes / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity