Syringammina fragilissima

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Classification

Domain: Eukaryota, Kingdom: Rhizaria, Phylum: Foraminifera, Class: Xenophyphorea, Order: Psamminidia, Family: Syringamminidae, Genus: Syringammina, Species: fraglissima

Description and Significance

Syringammina fragilissima is an organism that belongs to the larger group called the Xenophyophore [1]. Xenophyophores are massive unicellular organisms found in the deep sea. They are the largest known individual cells to date [2]. They are extremophiles, in that they live in deep sea waters and exist in extreme pressure. Some have been found in depths of 6.6 miles under sea. Xenophyophores are not very well known, but is known about them is that they are abundant in the ocean and are extremophiles. What makes Xenophyophores so unique and special is their capability of being resistance to most metals. They are able to capture specific particles from the water and are then able to concentrate high levels of metals like lead, uranium, and mercury [2]. Another thing that xenophyophores are capable of doing is bioturbation of the sand/sediment. Bioturbation is defined as the changing of the sand, either texturally or by the displacement of microorganisms and other particles. This bioturbation allows for the generation of habitats for other animals, e.g. isopods. THis is an example of its significance, because it has an effect on the ecosystem of the ocean. Another significance of xenophyophores is the study of evolutionary symbiotic relationships. They are believe to have originated from a symbiotic relationship. They came to this conclusion via the structure of it. Xenophyophores are made up cytoplasm containing multiple nuclei that is surrounded by branches of tubes called granellare. Then on the outside, the granellare and stercomes are surrounded by a test, which is a shell-like structure made from minerals and skeletons of other microorganisms [3].

Syringammina fragilissima were discovered off the coast of Scotland. Although they are found on the sea floors of Europe as well as Africa. This is the largest species of xenophyophores, having a diameter of around 8 inches. Their test is very fragile and brittle, making it hard to study due to their disintegrating nature. Unfortunately, there is not very much known about this organism, other than its anatomy and its relating characteristic to the description of xenophyophores.

Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle

Its structure is that of a xenophyophore. It contains a test, the outer shell, that covers the cell branches and tubes underneath it. The test is very fragile and easily broken. The name Syringammina fragilissima translates to, "very fragile sand pipe" [#references | [3]]]. Each scattered tube underneath the shell contains multiple nuclei, making it unique in that sense. But its overall structure is explained in the section "Description and Significance". Unfortunately, the life cycle has not been studied effectively. It is hard to study them due to their fragile nature and their relative difficulty to observe. But what has been deduced is that they are able to switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, because they belong to the xenophyophores, which belong to foraminiferans.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Natural habitat (soil, water, commensal of humans or animals?)
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, or plant hosts? Important virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[1] EXAMPLE ONLY. REPLACE WITH YOUR REFERENCES. Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. 2000. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 50: 489-500. http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Mandy Brosnahan, Instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MICB 3301/3303: Biology of Microorganisms.