[1] Amoebidium species are single-celled, cigar-shaped or tubular in vegetative growth form (= thallus), and attach to the exoskeleton of various freshwater arthropod hosts (Crustaecea or Insecta) by means of a secreted, glue-like basal holdfast.

[8] It has also been found in association with a variety of hosts including copepods, amphipods, isopods, mayfly nymphs, and black fly and midge larvae.

[15] Amoebidium parasiticum was the first trichomycete (a group of microscopic fungi and protists found in symbiotic association with aquatic arthropods) to be obtained in axenic culture,[9] allowing for detailed studies of its nutritional requirements,[18] cell wall composition,[19] and conditions that induce amoebagenesis[20] (formation and release of the dispersal amoebae) as well as providing pure tissue for DNA extraction.

[8] Thirdly, researchers had noted that amoebagenesis appeared to be triggered by ecdysis or death of the host arthropod based on their observations during dissections.

[21] Experiments with A. parasiticum cultures supported these observations by showing that amoebagenesis could be induced by incubating Amoebidium thalli with a homogenate of the host (Daphnia) supplemented with various combinations of amino acids and vitamins.