Family PHACODINIIDAE n. fam.

Body ovoid in shape, compressed laterally, with rigid and ribbed pellicle (= cuirass); cytoplasm nonpigmented; lengthy peristomial field, with conspicuous membranelles, terminating very near posterior pole of organism; somatic ciliature, in widely spaced rows, occurs in little packets of 6-8 delicate cilia each; macronucleus horseshoe-shaped; these hypotrich-like organisms show world-wide distribution, found mainly in edaphic habitats (e.g., moss on trees).

[Supported by modern redescriptions by Didier & Dragesco (1978), Dragesco (1970), Gellért (1950b), and Roque (1971) - though Penard's (1922) observations also remain excellent - plus unpublished notes of my own, I decided some time ago to separate this group at the familial level from the rather different Spirostomidae. In the meantime, Jankowski (1975) has independently suggested the same familial name, but without description or characterization.]

Phacodinium Prowazek, 1900. Single species.
Transitella Gellért, 1950. Single species.