<i>Orbulina universa</i> (IMAGE)

University of Washington

<i>Orbulina universa</i>

Caption

This foraminifera is just starting to form its adult spherical shell. The calcium carbonate spherical shell first forms on a thin organic template, shown here in white, around the dark juvenile skeleton. Calcium carbonate spines then extend from the juvenile skeleton through the new sphere and outward. The bright flecks are algae that the foraminifera 'farm' for sustenance.

Credit

Howard Spero/University of California, Davis

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