Parastokesia
Parastokesia Jankowski, 1967 (ref. ID; 2014)
Class Oligohymenophora: Subclass Hymenostomata: Order Hymenostomatida (ref. ID; 2014)
[ref. ID; 2014]
Medium-sized ciliate (100-200 um long), irregularly triangular in outline with the anterior side being the shortest and slightly concave because of the presence of a peristomial groove which originates there. The peristomial groove extends about a third of the body length. An undulating membrane runs on the right of these groove and is adjacent to several closely packed rows of somatic cilia. These give the membrane the impression of being very thick. On the right of the peristome there are 2 membranelles lying close together and there is a third, M3, which lies midway across the peristome. The undulating membrane and M3 together form a D-shape which encompasses the oral aperture. The kinetosomes of the undulating membrane are connected to transverse fibres which may be seen on the right of the peristomial groove. Somatic ciliation uniform, completely covering the body and there is a prominent post-oral suture line. Trichocysts present. Single contractile vacuole situated on the left side in an equatorial position with 6 radiating canals. Zoochlorellae commonly found in cytoplasm. Macronucleus irregularly ovoid usually located towards the posterior body region.
Single species genus.
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)