Foraminiferan Cymbaloporetta Bradyi, Sem
by Oliver Meckes EYE OF SCIENCE
Title
Foraminiferan Cymbaloporetta Bradyi, Sem
Artist
Oliver Meckes EYE OF SCIENCE
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Foraminifera from the Red Sea, Cymbaloporetta bradyi (Cushman, 1924). Foraminifera (Latin for "hole bearers") are members of a phylum or class of amoeboid protists living in an external shell (called a "test") of diverse forms and materials. They stream granular ectoplasm out of their test for catching food, for floating or to collect construction material. There are benthic (living on the bottom) and pelagic (floating) forms. The size of the foraminifera is very variable, ranging from 30 µm to 15 cm, their one- or multi-chambered shell is made of calcite, opal or tectin. Foraminifera were already found in sedimentary rocks from the Cambrian period 560 million years ago; the latest investigations indicate an even older age, more than 1 billion Years ago. Because they exist for such a long period they are used as index fossils. The oil industry relies heavily on microfossils such as forams to find potential hydrocarbon deposits. Today's forms are of great importance as food for many invertebrates in the seas. Scanning electron microscope, magnification 2501 (when 15cm wide).
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May 19th, 2021
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