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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Larvulina

Larvulina Penard, 1922 (ref. ID; 2014)

Class Oligohymenophora: Subclass Hymenostomata: Order Scuticociliatida (ref. ID; 2014)

[ref. ID; 2014]
Small (20-35 um long) ellipsoidal ciliate with a regular outline but is somewhat dorso-ventrally compressed. The peristome extends from the apical pole to about the middle of the body and there is a small oral aperture at its posterior end. A large conspicuous undulating membrane borders the right edge of the peristome and long cilia border its left edge. 2 small membranelles lie on the left edge of the oral aperture and a basket of thickened cilia protrude out posteriorly from the buccal cavity. A series of 4 or 5 furrows bearing somatic cilia run around the lateral edges of the cell and there are a similar number on the dorsal surface. There is a single anterior cilium and a tuft of long apical cilia trail back over the peristomial area. Contractile vacuole in posterior body half. Spherical macronucleus centrally located. There are two species, both of which are ectocommensal on Gammarus and its moults.
Quote; Colin R. Curds, Michael A. Gates and David McL. Roberts "British and other freshwater ciliated protozoa Part II Ciliophora: Oligohymenophora and Polyhymenophora" Cambridge University Press, 1983 (ref. ID; 2014)
  1. Larvulina variabilis Penard, 1922 (ref. ID; 1622)
  2. Larvulina zonata Penard, 1922 (ref. ID; 1622)