heterotrich

heterotrich, any member of the ciliated protozoan order Heterotrichida. Complete ciliation is typical, although there is a tendency toward loss of the cilia, which are minute hairlike processes, in several families. Heterotrichs generally are considered primitive because of their uniform ciliation. Heterotrichida have a zone of membranelles near the peristome (a groove leading to the mouth) and often an undulating membrane close by. Representative genera include Spirostomum, a long cylindrical protozoan; Stentor, a trumpet-shaped freshwater genus; and the pigmented Eufolliculina.