The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta
Caenomorpha
Caenomorpha Perty, 1852 (ref. ID; 2014)
Class Polyhymenophora: Subclass Spirotricha: Order Heterotrichida: Suborder Armophorina (ref. ID; 2014)
Heterotrichida: Armophorina (ref. ID; 7553)
Synonym Gyrocoris Stein (ref. ID; 1618)
[ref. ID; 2014]
Medusoid shape with armour-like pellicular shield and 1 to 3 posterior spines. Without somatic cilia except for a small group at the base of a posterior spine. 1 or 2 rows of cirri located in the anterior body region cause it to move in a jerky fashion. The perizonal stripe consists of 5 ciliary rows winding around the body above the AZM on the edge of the pellicular armour. Between 1 and 4 macronuclei but always a single micronucleus.
Several species recorded, mostly freshwater and all sapropelic.
Most easily confused with some species of Metopus and Brachonella which always have a well-developed somatic ciliature. May also be confused with Cirranter which does not have posterior spines and with Ludio which has two very long anterior cirri.
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)
Body medusoid with a long posterior spine; somatic ciliation restricted to 2 rows of thick flexible cirri (which are highly thigmotactic) and to the perizonal ciliary stripe; buccal cavity with the adoral zone of membranelles forms a long spiral encircling the body; cytostome situated posteriorly, cytopharynx directed anteriorly; a single undulating membrane borders the cytostome; 3 or 4 macronuclei; 1 contractile vacuole locate at the posterior extremity. (ref. ID; 1219)
Fresh and brackish water. (ref. ID; 1618)