Local low life around Lincoln, Massachusetts (5)

I believe the answer is:

ameba

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'local low life' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for ameba that I've seen is " cell in San Quentin".)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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