Abstract

Although the testate amoebae Apodera vas, is frequently cited as evidence of a microorganism with restricted distribution, no detailed morphometric studies have been carried out on this organism. Here, we present a study on morphology and morphometry of two populations from peatlands in southern Chile. Analysis indicates that A vas is a polymorphic species, characterized by a reduced main class, favoring the subsidiary classes, capable of presenting 2 to 3 main morphotypes in each population. Multivariate analysis indicates that the morphological characters: test width (broad lateral view) and neck length, are the most discriminating characters in the populations studied. The coefficient of variation in this species was slightly variable and lower than that of other species of testate amoebae. Similarly, not all the characters were inter-correlated and the degree of correlation between characters differed in the two populations.