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Name derivation:

 

Classification:

Hexamita  Dujardin  1838;  only 1 of 19 species descriptions is currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013).

Order Distomatida;  Family Hexamitidae

Morphology:

Colorless cells, 6-10 µm long, with 8 flagella of varying length:  Two medium flagella are ~1.4 longer than cell four shorter flagella are ~same as cell length, and two long flagella ~2x cell length.  Movement is by ‘skidding’ on a substrate, or swimming.

Similar genera:

 

Habitat:

Freshwater benthos.

References:

Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry  2013.  AlgaeBase.  World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway.  http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 26 February 2013.