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Resting Cysts in the Ciliate Class Polyhymenophorea: Phylogenetic Implications 1
Author(s) -
REID P. C.,
JOHN A. W. G.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1983.tb05348.x
Subject(s) - ciliate , biology , protozoa , phylogenetic tree , phylum , evolutionary biology , trophic level , phylogenetics , phylogenetic diversity , zoology , paleontology , ecology , botany , bacteria , genetics , gene
Distinctive organic‐walled resting cysts of at least three different types with a highly conservative morphology appear to characterize specific orders or groups of genera within the Class Polyhymenophorea (Protozoa, Ciliophora), contrasting markedly with the great diversity of form seen in trophic stages. Polyhymenophorean ciliates have been considered in the past to form a cohesive class within the Phylum Ciliophora and, possibly, to represent the pinnacle of ciliate evolution. Evidence from cysts challenges the cohesive nature of the class, suggesting that the hypotrichs should be subdivided and that they have a different phylogenetic origin from the heterotrichs, tintinnids, and oligotrichs.