Actinopods

Click here to see a JPEG of this microbe.

Kingdom: Protista
Scientific Name: Heliozoa
Image Courtesy of: Whallon, Joanne
Image Width: 100 microns
Image Technology: Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Heliozoa are members of group of organims called actinopods. Actinopods are spherical organisms with many projections - like rays of the sun. These projecting rays are what give them their name, since actinopod means "ray foot." Heliozoa are found in freshwater ponds. The rays on this organism help keep it afloat and help it eat. These organims are heterotrophic meaning that they eat other organisms.