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reticulopodia

Reticulopodia are a form of pseudopod possessed by certain amoeboid protists, especially many foraminiferans. They consist of fine, branching cytoplasmic projections that repeatedly extend, fuse, and regress to form a reticulum, a net-like mesh that can radiate well beyond the cell body. The projections are capable of rapid remodeling, producing a persistent, interconnected network.

Formation and structure: Reticulopodia originate at the cell body and extend through openings in the organism’s

Function: The primary role of reticulopodia is feeding. The net captures bacteria, diatoms, and other small

Distribution and significance: Reticulopodia are characteristic of numerous foraminiferans found in marine and some freshwater habitats.

Comparison: Reticulopodia differ from other pseudopodia types such as axopodia, which are stiff, rod-like projections in

test
(shell)
or
directly
from
the
membrane.
They
anastomose,
creating
a
porous
net
that
can
envelop
prey
and
substrata.
The
network
is
dynamic
and
can
be
used
for
both
feeding
and
locomotion.
particles,
which
are
transported
toward
the
cell
where
they
are
ingested
by
phagocytosis.
Reticulopodia
also
assist
locomotion
by
attaching
to
surfaces
and
pulling
the
organism
forward,
and
by
exploring
the
environment.
Their
complex
networks
are
a
key
feature
in
the
feeding
strategies
of
these
organisms
and
aid
in
sediment
interaction.
The
presence
and
structure
of
reticulopodia
are
used
in
the
study
and
identification
of
living
and
fossil
foraminifera,
contributing
to
paleoenvironmental
reconstructions
and
biostratigraphy.
radiolarians,
and
from
lamellipodia
and
filopodia
in
other
amoebae,
by
forming
an
interconnected,
net-like
network.