Loxodidae
| Loxodidae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Loxodes | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| (unranked): | SAR |
| (unranked): | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Ciliophora |
| Subphylum: | Postciliodesmatophora |
| Class: | Karyorelictea |
| Order: | Loxodida |
| Family: |
Loxodidae Bütschli, 1889 |
| Genera | |
Loxodidae is a family of karyorelict ciliates.
Loxodidae members possess an elongated, laterally flattened shape. They share two key characters: a beak-like anterior rostrum interrupting the perioral kineties, and peculiar cytoplasmic organelles named Müller vesicles.
The extensive development of lacunae of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum leads to strong vacuolization of the endoplasm. This feature is associated to a lack of contractile vacuoles in all loxodids.
The term Loxodidae derives from the ancient greek (loksós), meaning "oblique, tilted".
Loxodidae members possess the ability to orient themselves in oxygen gradients. They use gravity as a stimulus for this spatial orientation, a phenomenon called gravitaxis or geotaxis. Loxodid ciliates must therefore have developed mechanoreceptors telling them what is up or down. A likely candidate structure is the Müller vesicle, a peculiar organelle characterizing Loxodidae. The organelle comprises a mineral body covered by a membrane, the , and a vacuole, and may act as a gravity sensor.
Molecular phylogeny based on sequences of the SSU rRNA gene indicates that Remanella and Loxodes branch together into a monophyletic family Loxodidae.
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