Home / Non-PS_Flagellates_and_Ciliates / Flagellates / Hexamita
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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.