Acanthamoeba polyphaga

**Semantic type:** Eukaryote

**Definition:** A species of motile, unicellular eukaryotic amoebae within the family of Acanthamoebidae. A. polyphaga is placed in morphological group II with a 18s rRNA gene sequence type of T4. Members of this group are characterized by the presence of wrinkled ectocysts and endocysts which could be stellate, polygonal, triangular, or oval. This species is a human pathogen and may cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis. A. polyphaga also serves as a secondary decomposer to remineralize soil with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous by consuming bacterial primary decomposers.

**Synonyms:** - ACANTHAMOEBA POLYPHAGA