Characterization of Unusual Gymnamoebae Isolated

ii Characterization of Unusual Gymnamoebae Isolated from the Marine Environment Amoebae are important heterotrophic protists (protozoa) and this study focuses on three unusual forms from the marine environment. Amoebae are ubiquitous and play an important role as consumers in microbial communities. A common coastal ctenophore (Mnemiopsis sp.) is known to harbor an undescribed naked amoeba on the comb plate surface. The nature of the symbiotic association is unknown although electron microscopy suggests these micrograzers are degrading comb plates (Moss et al., 2001). A second amoeba isolate from mangrove waters is new to science by virtue of its distinctive trophic form that does not conform to any described species. A third isolate, Acanthamoeba spp. is unusual because it was isolated from offshore marine waters despite the fact it is normally found in soil. On rare occasions acanthamoebae invade the cornea and cause Amoebic Keratitis (AK). Characterization of these amoebae involved characterizing three important diagnostic features including morphology (size, form an