Amastigomonas
genus of protozoa with two flagella
Amastigomonas is a genus of protists belonging to a lineage of biciliated zooflagellates known as Apusomonadida. It was first described in 1931 by Henri de Saedeleer. The current use of Amastigomonas is as a descriptive archetype, with no phylogenetic or taxonomic implications. The term "Amastigomonas-like" is used to refer to all apusomonads that lack the 'derived' characteristics of Apusomonas.
Description
Organisms under the name "Amastigomonas" have an oval or oblong cell that can generate pseudopodia from the ventral surface. They lack a mastigophore, a projection of the cell body that contains both basal bodies at its end. Like all Apusomonadida, they have two flagella, and the anterior flagellum is surrounded by a membranous sleeve.
Current use of the name
Historically, the name Amastigomonas was used for any apusomonad species that had 'primitive' characteristics compared to the more 'derived' characteristics of Apusomonas. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have shown that Apusomonas branches inside Amastigomonas, making this genus paraphyletic. As a result, many species of Amastigomonas have been reassigned to new genera—Thecamonas, Podomonas, Manchomonas, Multimonas, Chelonemonas, Catacumbia, Cavaliersmithia, Karpovia, Mylnikovia and Singekia—, and no currently cultured apusomonad matches the original description of Amastigomonas.
The public source identifies “Amastigomonas” as genus of protozoa with two flagella. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Amastigomonas, genus and protozoa.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Amastigomonas”, the useful work is to connect “genus of protozoa with two flagella” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 28, 2025. The linked authority identifier is Q8222429. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1931.
A general summary may omit uncertainty, sample limits or methodological disagreement that is explicit in the technical record. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Amastigomonas”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Amastigomonas primary sources, Amastigomonas archive and Amastigomonas research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Amastigomonas”?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Amastigomonas” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.