A Rare and Bizarre Predator - Actinobolina
Actinobolina is a bizarre single-celled predator, it has "tentacles'' which can be extended and retracted. Each tentacle is armed with toxin ejecting structures to immobilize a prey. When it extends its tentacles, Actinobolina stays still and waits until a prey touches the tentacles, when it happens Actinobolina’s toxins kill the prey even before it gets to ingest it. Actinobolina positions the unlucky victim in front of its cell-mouth by moving it with the tentacles and swallows it to digest!
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Whenever it wishes, it retracts the tentacles just in seconds and swims away to find a cozier place to set another trap. One of the most fascinating things about Actinobolina is that it seems to be choosing what to feed on. I watched them for hours and hours on my slides. They never fed on anything else but another microbe called Halteria! So fascinating to see food selection and recognition amongst the single-celled organisms.
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Thanks so much for reading. I’ll start adding narration soon!
Best,
James Weiss