The heterotrichs are a class of ciliates. They typically have a prominent adoral zone of membranelles circling the mouth, used in locomotion and feeding, and shorter cilia on the rest of the body. Many species are highly contractile, and are typically compressed or conical in form. These include some of the largest protozoa, such as Stentor and Spirostomum, as well as many brightly pigmented forms, such as certain Blepharisma.
Heterotrich
Morphology of Pseudoblepharisma tenue (Blepharismidae) and its two photosynthetic endosymbionts Chlorella sp. K10 and Ca. Thiodictyon intracellulare (Chromatiaceae)
The ciliates are a group of alveolates characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia, which are identical in structure to eukaryotic flagella, but are in general shorter and present in much larger numbers, with a different undulating pattern than flagella. Cilia occur in all members of the group and are variously used in swimming, crawling, attachment, feeding, and sensation.
Ciliate
Ciliate undergoing the last processes of binary fission
Development of the Oxytricha macronuclear genome from micronuclear genome
Stentor roeselii