FIGURE 3 in A giant foraminifer that converges to the feeding strategy of carnivorous sponges: Spiculosiphon oceana sp. nov. (Foraminifera, Astrorhizida)

FIGURE 3. SEM micrograph of stalks. (A) Tightly packed needle-like spicule fragments, with no obvious cement between them. Some debris (d) has flocculated on the spicules. Note that the silica of some of the oldest spicules started dissolving, as indicated by the occurrence of tiny cavities and pits (p) at their surface. Dissolution cavities are to be distinguished from accidental breakages (b) caused to the stalk during collection or laboratory manipulation. (B) View of the distal end of the stalk, showing that it is a closed, bulb-like structure. (C) Detail of a calcareous foraminifer (f) externally attached to the wall of one of the collected stalks (see fig. 1D). Note that a triaene (t) has been incorporated into the test and that some debris (d) has flocculated on the stalk.