# Vampyrella crystallifera sp. nov., an Amoeba That Dissolves Entire Algal Cells at a Remarkable Speed

## TL;DR

A new amoeba species, Vampyrella crystallifera, was discovered that rapidly engulfs and dissolves entire algal cells, unlike its relatives that extract cell contents.

## Contribution

The discovery of a new vampyrellid amoeba with a unique feeding strategy not previously observed in the genus Vampyrella.

## Key findings

- Vampyrella crystallifera engulfs and dissolves entire algal cells, unlike other Vampyrella species that extract protoplasts.
- The new species preys on a unicellular zygnematophyte green alga with a plant-like cell wall.
- The feeding behavior suggests the use of enzymes that may also be used by related protoplast-feeding amoebae.

## Abstract

The vampyrellid amoebae (Order Vampyrellida, Rhizaria) comprise predatory microeukaryotes that inhabit freshwater, marine, and terrestrial habitats. They are known to consume a wide array of prey, which includes microalgae, fungi, and even microscopic animals such as nematodes. Members of the popular genus Vampyrella phagocytize the cell contents of filamentous green algae after localized perforation of the cell wall. This feeding strategy, named protoplast extraction, is the hallmark of Vampyrella species and vampyrellid amoebae in general. Here, we report on a new species from a German spring fen, Vampyrella crystallifera sp. nov., which specifically preys on a unicellular zygnematophyte green alga (Nucleotaenium sp.) isolated from the same microhabitat. In contrast to its closest relatives (
V. lateritia
and
V. pendula
), V. crystallifera does not feed by protoplast extraction but engulfs whole algal cells, followed by the dissolution of the entire prey cell wall. Given the recalcitrant, plant‐like cell walls of the zygnematophytes, this is a remarkable process that might involve enzymes also used by the closely related protoplast feeders. The discovery of V. crystallifera again showcases the exceptional diversity of predator–prey interactions found in the Vampyrellida and adds to our knowledge of protist diversity in temperate moorlands.

The new vampyrellid amoeba Vampyrella crystallifera inhabits wet Sphagnum plants in temperate moorlands. Unlike its congeners, it engulfs entire algal cells and breaks them down at a fascinating speed. This represents a feeding habit that was unexpected for the genus Vampyrella and showcases the exceptional diversity of predator–prey interactions found in the order Vampyrellida.