Octocirrus
Octocirrus Rao, 1928 (ref. ID; 2014)
Class Polyhymenophora: Subclass Spirotricha: Order Oligotrichida: Suborder Oligotrichina (ref. ID; 2014)
[ref. ID; 2014]
Approximately spherical body shape with 8 adoral membranelles situated at broad anterior end. Single contractile vacuole; somatic cilia absent.
The original description is so unlikely and insufficient that the present authors question the validity of this genus. In the original description 8 cirri were said to be present, we have interpreted the 'cirri' to be the membranelles since both Rao and Corliss have included this genus in the oligotrichs.
Single description based on specimen from soil in India.
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)
[ref. ID; 3389]
Small size (30 um), body ovoid. The apical membranelles are dispersed and small in number. Not well described found in soil. (ref. ID; 3389)
- Octocirrus spheratus Rao, 1928 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The body is slightly ovoid. At the anterior end there are eight membranelles which are as long as the body. The organism readily forms cysts under unfavorable conditions. Immediately after encysting it has short somatic cilia round the body bur these are not present in the adult stage. Found in soil. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 30 um. (ref. ID; 3389)