Neocercomonas
Neocercomonas is a protist genus of the order Cercomonadida. It consists of single-celled bacteriophagous organisms that usually live on or nearby terrestrial plants, both above and belowground. Species are biflagellate and may grow up to 60 micrometers long, with a trailing tail-like mass of protoplasm at their posterior end and a pair of roots connecting their posterior flagellum to the cytoskeleton. Etymology. The genus was named by Ekelund "et al." in 2004. The first three letters of the genus name are directly lifted from the Greek "neo", meaning 'new', whereas the second part refers to the closely  related genus "Cercomonas", from which "Neocercomonas" was originally distinguished when the former was discovered not to be a monophyletic group. Hence, "Neocercomonas" can be interpreted as 'new "Cercomonas"'. Higher classifications such as the phylum Cercozoa and the order Cercomonadida also bear similar names, though "Cercomonas" was identified first (in 1841). History of knowledge. The genus was discovered in 2004 by Flemming Ekelund, Niels Daugbjerg, and Line Fredslund, whose phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences led them to conclude that the genus "Cercomonas" should be separated into two taxa, with the new one being named "Neocercomonas". In 2006 Karpov "et al." determined  that there was insufficient evidence for its status as a separate genus and reclassified it as part of "Cercomonas", but study of differences in microtubule nucleation by Karpov and Cavalier-Smith in 2012 re-established it as a genus, and more recent genetic analysis seems to support "Neocercomonas" being a monophyletic group. Habitat and ecology. Organisms belonging to this genus occur in terrestrial systems, most often in forested, agricultural, or otherwise plant-rich areas. Some may be found aboveground on leaf surfaces, while others live amongst soil particles. In the former case, their ability to quickly reproduce while resisting desiccation  is key to their ability to survive in an exposed environment. Description. Morphologically, "Neocercomonas" is similar to the genus "Cercomonas", though genetic analysis has indicated that they are separate taxa. Cells are 13-60 micrometers long, feed on bacteria, and are usually flattened in shape. They have a ragged 'tail' formed from the protoplasm at their posterior end, as well as two flagella near the front end of the cell, each being around one and a half times the cell's length. The anterior flagellum beats rapidly in front of the cell to propel its movement; the posterior flagellum remains  attached to both the body and the substrate to provide stability while the organism glides. Two cytoskeletal 'roots' are attached to different points along the posterior flagellum’s length, adding further support. After having settled on a substrate for some time, "Neocercomonas" may also deploy pseudopodia from the posterior end of the cell. The anterior flagellum will continue to move after pseudopodia have been extended, though usually in a more erratic manner. Within the cell there is an anterior nucleus, accompanied by numerous contractile vacuoles spread throughout the cell. The cytoplasm tends to be filled with small granules, some of  which are refractive, making it difficult to observe the organelles. As part of their life cycle, cells may form round cysts 5-13 micrometers in diameter. Some species ("N. dactyloptera" and "N. braziliensis") have been noted as having a particularly strong anterior cytoskeleton, though it is unknown whether this is the case for all "Neocercomona" species. The species "Neocercomonas grandis" is the largest known member of the order Cercomonadida.