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Gas vacuoles and flotation in Diffugia mitriformis Wallich (Protista, Rhizopoda, Testaceolobosea)

The natural formation of gas vacuoles as a method of locomotion is described for Difflugia mitriformis Wallich, 1984. These vacuoles may contain different compositions of gases, basicly carbodioxyde or oxigen, with a membranous limitation similar or identical to other types of vacuoles. Those vacuoles are utilised by the organism as a mode of dislocation frorn the bottom to the water surface by flotation permiting better conditions for the survival of the individual, with the consequence of the perpetuance of the taxon.

Gas vacuoles; Difflugia mitriformis; flotation


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