Cryptodifflugia is a genus ofarcellinid testate amoebae. It contains all the species previously grouped as the genusDifflugiella, which is now a synonym ofCryptodifflugia.[2][3]
Cryptodifflugia species are characterized by ashell with an oval egg-like shape with a short neck. Their surface is either smooth or adhering foreign particles. The shell can be colorless, yellow or brown, composed of an outer proteinaceous material that is usually lined. The shell's aperture is terminal, and has either a circular or an oval shape. They presentpseudopods in the form of ectoplasmic anastomosing reticulopods, i.e. like fine threads that can branch or anastomose (meaning they can form links with each other) to create a dense network.[1]
Several taxa previously accredited toCryptodifflugia orDifflugiella have been excluded from the 2017 revision:[1]
Difflugiella heynigiSchönborn, 1965 andCryptodifflugia lamingeraeChardez, 1977 do not match the description of the genus because they are larger and characterized by an apical aboral end of the shell and a prominent long neck with collar; it is possible that these two species will soon be included in the genusChardezia instead.
Cryptodifflugia sakotschawi andC. kelensis were mentioned by Tarnogradsky in 1945 but their descriptions were never published.
Cryptodifflugia turfaceaZacharias, 1903 andC. vanhoorneiBeyens et Chardez, 1987 are thought to be more probably a different genus because they're characterized by aretort-shaped shell.
^abcdBobrov, Anatoly; Mazei, Yuri (2017). "A review of testate amoeba genus Cryptodifflugia Penard, 1890 (Phryganellina: Cryptodifflugiidae) with a key to species".Zootaxa.4282 (2):292–308.doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4282.2.4.
