Living BeingsCompare species
African Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Amoeba proteus
Amoeba proteus
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | African Baobab | Amoeba proteus |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Thick, fibrous bark surrounds a broad trunk. Each compound leaf has several leaflets radiating from a central point. | An irregular outline and flowing extensions distinguish a moving cell. A nucleus and vacuoles can be observed using suitable microscopy. |
| Habitat and range | A terrestrial tree of tropical Africa, it is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and is also planted in gardens and settlements. | Freshwater environments with microbial food and suitable surfaces support its crawling and feeding activity. |
| Diet and nutrition | Leaves produce sugars through photosynthesis. Water and mineral nutrients are taken up through the roots. | Pseudopodia surround food particles and small organisms, bringing them into vacuoles for digestion. |
| Behavior and activity | Data unavailable | The cell forms pseudopods as its shape changes. Direct pressure measurements found that internal pressure rose before movement and decreased around pseudopod formation, supporting a role for hydrostatic pressure driven by the contractile cell cortex. This links movement with the mechanics of a living cell rather than an animal-like limb. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Large, hanging white flowers develop into capsules containing seeds embedded in pale, powdery pulp. New trees can be grown from seed. | A growing cell can divide after nuclear replication. This profile does not assign a complex reproductive stage from another amoeba species. |
| Geographic distribution | Native to Africa and cultivated elsewhere. The accompanying photograph shows a planted specimen in Madagascar; that location should not be confused with the native range of every baobab species. | Recorded cultures have particular collection histories. Identifying every large freshwater amoeba as A. proteus would overstate its distribution. |
| Ecological role | Its flowers, fruit and extensive woody structure provide biological resources. The familiar name baobab also applies to other species, which should not be confused with this one. | Consumption of microorganisms connects it with freshwater microbial food webs. |
| Distinctive adaptations | A substantial trunk and drought-resistant growth form help distinguish this tree from many humid-forest trees. | A deformable cell surface supports both movement and feeding. Contractile-vacuole activity helps manage water balance in freshwater. |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Eukaryota.