A flagellate with a surface like an aggregate

After being collected from a paddy field, the sample was put on 1% agar plate with a drop of distilled water and kept for a few days.

Being covered with small particles, this flagellate looks like a sand aggregate with a long narrow flagellum extending forward. Is the flagellate using the particles as an armor to protect itself against enemy attacks?

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
This flagellate may be Peranemopsis granulifera in the Euglena group.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

The characteristics of Peranemopsis granulifera are a cell surface covered with fine sandy particles and a long flagellum extending forward. Both features can be seen in this video, although the flagellum is not so clear.

Sampling Date : 16 October 2006

Sampling Site : KASHIMADAI paddy field  Google Map