Description of Holosticha

Urostylid ciliates, frontoventral zig-zag file extending past cell equator; frontoventral zig-zag file densely packed; transverse cirri; caudal cirri, ventral right posterior. Members of the hypotrich genus Holosticha are typically 50-300 microns in length and have an elongate, cigar shape. The oral ciliature conists of a relatively small adoral zone of membranelles which extends less than a third of the way down the cell. Somatic cilia are arranged in two rows of marginal cirri and two zigzag rows of midventral cirri. In addition, 3-4 frontal cirri are present and occasional cirri may be present elsewhere. Transverse cirri are present at the anterior end of the cell. From two to many macronuclei are present. Habitat and distribution: freshwater, marine and soils. Found world-wide. Common.