ODONTOSTOME

any member of the protistan order Odontostomatida. These small, wedge-shaped, ciliated protozoans were called Ctenostomatida until the name was found also to designate a bryozoan order. Odontostomes are usually found solely in fresh water with a high rate of organic decomposition. Their semicircular, or arc-shaped, back and the sides are covered with firm plates that form a carapace. These organisms are sparsely ciliated and have eight membranelles (cilia fused into flat plates) in the pouchlike buccal (oral) cavity. The genus Epalxella, with the pointed anterior end typical of odontostomes, is atypical in containing species from both freshwater and marine habitats.