Neometanema is a genus of flagellates belonging to the Euglenida, a diverse group of flagellates in the phylum Euglenozoa.
Description
Neometanema is a genus of
unicellular ,
microscopic or
that swim by using two
flagella that are equally long. The cells are flattened in shape, with a visible feeding apparatus. It is a
euglenid, characterized by the presence of pellicle strips below the
cell surface; in particular,
Neometanema species have 22 pellicle strips arranged helically through the cell. Like other euglenids of the
Spirocuta clade,
Neometanema cells are capable of
metaboly (flexible peristaltic movement), although more weakly than others. They are distinguished by the closely related genera
Heteronema and
Anisonema by their skidding motility that involves both flagella.
