Cirri
Guides
Hypotrichia
hypotrichs
Hypotrichia is a subclass of ciliated protozoa within the class Spirotrichea, characterized by compound ciliary organelles called cirri. These organisms are widespread in freshwater, marine, brackish-water, soil, and moss habitats. They use their ventral cirri to crawl along solid substrates. The group is morphologically diverse, with species varying considerably in size, cirral patterns, and nuclear organization. Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that several traditionally recognized genera within Hypotrichia are polyphyletic.