Spirostomum minus

Phylum: Ciliophora

Class: Heterotrichea

Family: Spirostomidae

Genus: Spirostomum

Species: S. minus

 

Spirostomum minus is a single-celled protozoan that is part of the Spirostomum genus. It is commonly found in freshwater and low salinity environments.

 

Appearance

 

Colorless or brownish in color

Packed with dark-grey granules and inclusions

Has a contractile vacuole at the end of its body

Has a blunt rear and spiralled kineties when its body contracts

 

Movement

 

Glides over surfaces

Occasionally swims slowly while rotating around its main body axis

Can contract to under half its body length in under 5 milliseconds

Done