Dysteria spp. is generally ovoid in shape with a flattened ventral surface from which the cilia extend. The dorsal surface is dome-shaped, ribbed longitudinally, and unciliated. A large podite is placed posteriorly. Typically, the right lateral edge of each cell has a cleft. This genus has a large, central macronucleus and two contractile vacuoles (Carey, 1992).In the Indian River Lagoon, Dysteria spp. is commonly found on seagrass blades.