Epistylis Ehrenberg 1830

Epistylis, a peritrich ciliate. May or may not be colonial, the stalks lack spasmonenes. Phase contrast optics.

It is not uncommon to find peritrich ciliates attached to the outer surface of metazoa, especially those that swim or feed on suspended particles. The ciliates benefit from access to more and better food. The metazoon oddly seems not to be affected. Dark ground illumination of living organisms.