Ciliate
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| Taxonomic Group: | Ciliate |
| Trophic Status: | Autotrophic or Heterotrophic |
| Size Range: | Extremely small to large enough to be seen by the naked eye; 9.5-32.5 ?m wide x 47.5-240 ?m long (LUMCON Guide) |
| Key Characteristics: | Complex unicellular organisms characterized by hair-like cilia used for locomotion or feeding; they feed on bacteria, algae, other ciliates, or sometimes contain symbiotic bacteria or algae; both freshwater and marine; most of the cilates we observe are Tintinnids, distinguished by having conical, trumpet- or vase-shaped shells called loricae |
| Confused With: | |
| Toxin: | None known |