Spirostomum

Spirostomum is a single celled motile ciliate and member of the Sub-kingdom Protozoa.

Phylum Ciliophora

Order Heterotrichida

Family Spirostomidae

Spirostomum are one of the larger fresh water ciliates, possessing an elongated flattened cylindrical body ranging from 1-3mm in length and hence clearly visible to the naked eye, with the body being highly contractile. One of the major anatomical features of Spirostomum is the peristome (mouth) which stretches for up to three quarters of the body length of the organism.

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