Hypocomatina

Suborder (3) Hypocomatina Deroux, 1976

Syns. Hypocomida,
Hypocomina + Macrostomatina,
Rhynchodina

Somatic ciliature restricted to ventral surface and oral ciliature reduced; cytopharyngeal tube protrudes from body (in first family); macronucleus band-like not heteromerous- adhesive organelle inconspicuous in right-ventral pit or fosette- dorsal surface of body clearly convex (humped); practically all species ecto- or endocommensals, on wide range of marine hosts.

With characteristics of suborder s.s. (above); hosts: peritrichs, brittle stars, tunicates. Family HYPOCOMIDAE Bütschli, 1889

Rotund, but not large, ovoid body, with relatively numerous rows of cilia on ventral surface; cytostome wide and, like cytopharynx, constantly open (no feeding by suction); continuously mobile forms, carnivorously feeding on other ciliates in same mantle caviry of host (the common barnacle). Family CRATERISTOMATIDAE Jankowski, 1967

With characteristics of suborder s.s. (above); hosts: peritrichs, brittle stars, tunicates.	*Family HYPOCOMIDAE* Bütschli, 1889**
Rotund, but not large, ovoid body, with relatively numerous rows of cilia on ventral surface; cytostome wide and, like cytopharynx, constantly open (no feeding by suction); continuously mobile forms, carnivorously feeding on other ciliates in same mantle caviry of host (the common barnacle).	*Family CRATERISTOMATIDAE* Jankowski, 1967**