the beard

Description:

Stephanopogon (steff-anne-owe-poe-gone) is a marine genus of uncertain affinities and include a small handful of species. Cells are dorso-ventrally flattened, with a wide anterior mouth which may or may not have some barbs. This is one of the species with barbs. It moves by using flagella which are laid out in longitudinal rows. For a long time considered to be a primitive ciliate (distinguished from real ciliates because it does not have macronuclei and micronuclei), but ciliate affinities have subsequently been rejected. Eats diatoms and detritus. Phase contrast.