Family TURANIELLIDAE Didier, 1971

Large body, elongate-ovoid (tapering posteriorly) in shape, with conspicuous oral structures in anterior half; buccal ciliature comprised of membranelles resembling peniculi and quadrulus, yet stomatogenesis parakinetal, as in the Glaucomidae; somatic ciliature, including several postoral kineties, typically tetrahymenine; no nematodesmata nor trichocysts, but also no mucocysts; dimorphic life cycle, with macrostome form carnivorous on other ciliates; fresh-water habitats.

[Taxonomically controversial group, placed by some in the suborder Peniculina.]

Turaniella Corliss, 1960 (for Turania). Single species.