Myrionecta rubra
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Taxonomic Group: Ciliate
Trophic Status: Autotrophic
Size Range: 9-17 μm wide x 17-29 μm long (LUMCON Guide)
Key Characteristics: A ciliate that steals the chloroplasts and nuclei of cryptomonad prey and so is functionally autotrophic; body generally ovoid with a slight constriction at the midpoint of the cell; cilia encircle this middle part of the cell and are generally visible as a blurry halo or wings on each side of the cell (depending on the light and preservation technique used); fast swimmers
Confused With:
Toxin: None known