Spirotrichea: Heterotrichia: Blepharismidae: Blepharisma Blepharisma americanum Suzuki, 1954 Synonym: B. undulans americanus Suzuki, 1954

Genus: Elongate, ovoid; anterior apex often curves over the peristome; non contractile (Carey, 1992). In front of cytostome a two-layered undulating membrane on right edge; contractile vacuole and cytopyge terminal; rose-colored; many species (Kudo, 1966). Species: Pink, 115-220 μm long; peristome nearly 1/2 cell length with conspicuous undulating membrane; macronucleus multinodal with 3-7 nodes (moniliform); 6-20 micronuclei (Giese, 1973). 150-300 μm long (How to know the protozoa, 1979).

100 μm 200 μm 300 μm; x 200

50 μm 100 μm 150 μm; x 400

Blepharisma americanum, well-fed cell (left), starved cells, by Y. Tsukii