The life cycle of the centrohelid heliozoan Raphidiophrys heterophryoidea Zlatogursky, 2012 was studied with light and electron microscopy in clonal cultures from the type locality. The alternation of two types of trophozoites, having contrastingly different morphology, was observed. Type 1 trophozoites morphology matched the original description. Type 2 trophozoites tended to form colonies usually of 6–8 individuals, connected with cytoplasmic bridges and their cell size was noticeably bigger, namely 43−45 μm compared to 24.5 μm on average in type 1 trophozoites. Some colonies were forming stalks composed of three or four axopodia covered with scales. Spicules were lacking completely, while plate-scales differed from those of type 1 trophozoites: they had oblong-elliptical shape, larger (5.9–14.1 × 2.4–5.8 μm) size, non-branching septa always reaching scale centre, solid upper plate. The conspecificity of the two trophozoite types was confirmed with the comparison of SSU rDNA gene sequence data. Both types of trophozoites were capable of encystment and excysted individuals always were type 1 trophozoites. A new type of cyst-scales (cup-scales) was described. Transitions between cysts and the two trophozoites types were documented. The diagnosis of R. heterophryoidea was improved accordingly. The possible functions, driving forces, and taxonomic consequences of the polymorphism were discussed.

中心螺旋日疟原虫Raphidiophrys heterophryoidea的生命周期Zlatogursky（2012年）使用光镜和电子显微镜在不同类型的克隆培养物中进行了研究。观察到两种形态各异的滋养体的交替。1型滋养体的形态与原始描述相符。2型滋养体通常形成6-8个个体的菌落，与细胞质桥相连，并且其细胞大小明显更大，即43-45μm，而1型滋养体平均为24.5μm。一些菌落正在形成由三到四个鳞片覆盖的轴突组成的茎。螺旋菌完全缺乏，而平板状鳞片与1型滋养体的鳞片鳞片不同：它们具有长圆形形状，较大（5.9–14.1×2.4–5.8μm），无分支的隔垫始终到达鳞片中央，上盘坚实。通过比较SSU rDNA基因序列数据，证实了这两种滋养体类型的同质性。两种类型的滋养体都能够包囊，被囊肿的个体总是1型滋养体。描述了一种新型的囊肿标度（杯标度）。囊肿和两种滋养体类型之间的过渡已记录。诊断异麦芽孢杆菌得到了相应的改善。讨论了多态性的可能功能，驱动力和分类学后果。