The Case of the Mistaken Amoeba

Joseph Leidy discovered a new amoeba species, initially hypothesizing it was a unique organism with mycelial threads. Despite his significant contributions to paleontology and microscopy, Leidy's hypothesis was later corrected by Eugene Pinard, who identified the threads as fungal parasites. The fungus, Amoeba Phyllis Simplex, infects amoebas, forming haustoria that release spores. This rare fungus presents challenges for researchers studying its behavior and impact on amoebas.

What creature did Joseph Leidy observe through his microscope?

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What assumptions did Leidy have about the creature he observed?

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What did Leidy name the new species he documented?

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What was the main hypothesis that Leidy had regarding the threads he observed?

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Who corrected Leidy's mistake regarding the amoeba vorax, and when?

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What did Eugene Pinard suggest about the filaments observed by Leidy?

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Describe the process of how the fungus infects the amoeba as observed by James.

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