English: Under a moderately-high magnification of 5011X, this 2002 scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology exhibited by small grouping of Hartmannella vermiformis amoebae trophozoites. The trophozoite stage of an amoeba’s lifecycle is its vegetative phase, spent feeding, moving about, and reproducing. This free-living protozoan moves in response to chemical signals in its environment by extending pseudopodia, or “false feet”, a number of which are seen in this image. The other major stage of an amoeba’s life cycle is a "cyst", shown in PHIL 11166. Under harsh conditions like drought, accumulated toxins in the amoeba's environment can reduce its metabolic requirements, whereupon, the protozoa produces a protective coat, and goes dormant to await better fortunes.
Note: This species has been re-classified as Vermamoeba vermiformis by Smirnov et al., 2011. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2011.04.004, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.808499.