Scale Formation in an Amoeba, Cochliopodium sp.

During excystment of an amoeba, Cochliopodium sp., scale formation was examined with light and electron microscopy. This amoeba was covered with scales. When the amoeba encysted, the scales remained on the external surface of the cyst wall. Soon after the induction of excystment the Golgi complex began to develop. Many vesicles were extruded from it and changed into vacuoles. Scales were observed first in the vacuole adjacent to the Golgi complex and later in inside the cyst wall. When the amoeba excysted it had been coated by the newly formed scales. It is suggested that the scale formation is dependent on the activity of the Golgi complex.