Roombia

Roombia
Light (above) and transmission electron micrographs (below) of R. truncata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Class: Leucocryptea
Order: Kathablepharidida
Family: Kathablepharidae
Genus: Roombia
Species:
R. truncata
Binomial name
Roombia truncata
Okamoto et al. 2009

Roombia truncata is a species of katablepharids, which are heterotrophic single-celled organisms.[1]

It was the first katablepharid to be generally available in cell culture, starting around 2009. The culture consists of Roombia, the diatom Navicula, and unidentified bacteria. Navicula provides the main food source for Roombia, although Roombia also feeds on the bacteria.[1]

Roombia was named after the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Okamoto N, Chantangsi C, Horák A, Leander BS, Keeling PJ (2009), Stajich JE (ed.), "Molecular Phylogeny and Description of the Novel Katablepharid Roombia truncata gen. et sp. nov., and Establishment of the Hacrobia Taxon nov.", PLOS ONE, 4 (9): e7080, Bibcode:2009PLoSO...4.7080O, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007080, PMC 2741603, PMID 19759916
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