Difflugia

Difflugia is the largest genus of Arcellinida, one of several groups of Tubulinea within the eukaryote supergroup Amoebozoa. Arcellinida species produce shells or tests from mineral particles or biogenic elements (e.g. diatom frustules) and are thus commonly referred to as testate amoebae or shelled amoebae. Difflugia are particularly common in marshes and other freshwater habitats.

== History == The genus Difflugia was initially discovered in 1815 by L, Leclerc, but its infra-generic classification as a group is still unclear. The genus Difflugia is the oldest and most diverse of the testate amoebae. It contains more than 300 species and countless subspecies since even minor differences in morphology result in classification as a new species. In 1958, Gauthier-Lièvre and Thomas divided the genus into 10 groups depending on difference in shell morphology. These 10 groups are based on a survey conducted of the African species of Difflugia The 10 shell shape classifications are lobed, collared, compressed, urceolate, globose, ovoid-globose, elongate, acute angled, horned and pyriform.