Streblomastix

A symbiotic eukaryote that lives in the stomach of termites, and other insects, Streblomastix is a protist that helps to digest wood along with other protists.

The Streblomastix engages in a relationship similar to that of bacteria endosymbionts of rumenous animals such as the cow.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to quickly check pipettes?

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Motilty

The Streblomastix moves by beating its anterior flagella.

Morphology

This protozoan looks like a spade, with the stomach on the posterior, and the flagella on the anterior end.

• These animals measure around 100 micrometers in length.

References

• http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmar03/rhtermite.html

• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/basalprotists.html

Links

• Protists
• Endosymbiont
• Rumen
• Termite