Foraminiferan, Sem
by Oliver Meckes EYE OF SCIENCE
Title
Foraminiferan, Sem
Artist
Oliver Meckes EYE OF SCIENCE
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Shell (theka) of Uvigerina bradyana from the Red Sea. Foraminifera (Latin for "hole bearers") are members of a phylum or class of amoeboid protists living in an external shell, or 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 (bottom-dwelling) and pelagic (floating) forms. Foraminifera vary in size, ranging from 30 µm to 15 cm. Their one- or multi-chambered shell is made of calcite, opal or tectin. Foraminifera were found in sedimentary rocks from the Cambrian period (560 million years ago); the latest investigations date some specimens to more than 1 billion years ago. Because they exist for such a long period they are used as index fossils. Scanning electron microscope, magnification 1801 (when 15cm wide).
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May 19th, 2021
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