Predatory ciliate which feeds on Rotifers (Philodina sp.). Forms resistant cysts

A remarkable pink coloured protist and probably the best example of all for showing typical ciliate morphology.The naturally stained pink pellicle plus the organisms slow motility improves viewing of the compound ciliary organelles, food vacuoles and the...

A very large predator up to 1mm, which has a voracious appetite for other ciliates, engulfing food prey like a vacuum cleaner. Forms cysts, which are resistant to drying and can remain viable for several years.

Wild collected sample of colonial peritrichs.

A prodigious spirotrich with an awesome appetite for planktonic algae and phytoflagellates.

Gymnostome ciliate with armoured pellicular plates. Culture contains Chilomonas which it devours.

A small bactivorous ciliate and ideal food prey for Podophyra, Actinosphaerium, Amoeba, and other predatory protists.

Small bactivorous soil ciliate which encysts

Tiny scuticociliate with long thigmotactic cilia.

A voracious predator of Paramecium which it immobilises by discharging toxicysts which penetrate the pellicle. Dormant cysts are formed when the food prey is depleted and these can be saved for subsequent excysting and use. 50ml culture

A large and unusual predatory haptorid which uses its long probing 'trunk' to capture smaller protists. The culture contains Colpidium sp. a natural food prey.

100ml Wild collected sample of an epizoitic peritrich.

A small green 'phototrophic)hypotric h containing symbiotic zoochlorellae.

A very appealing example of a typical hypotrich that exemplifies the diversity of form amongst the ciliates. Their characteristic cirri (ciliary organelles) initiate the distinctive swimming and scurrying movement so fascinating to observe in hypotrichs.

A Large hypotrich and common intertidal marine species.

An algivorous sp., which feeds on diatoms.

Green coloured sp. containing symbiotic zoochlorellae.

Characteristic bactivorous 'bouncing' ciliate.<p>Cultures usually remain viable for several days if kept at room temperature 10-22°C and longer when kept in a non-domestic refrigerator +4°C.

Large flexible hypotrich, feeds mainly on diatoms.

An astonishing \u2018swan-like\u2019 ciliate with a mouth at the end of a flexible \u2018neck\u2019.The neck detects suitable protists to eat..The culture comes with the ciliate Colpidium sp. as food prey.

Hypotrich with two macronuclei, the cultures contain Chlorella an algal food source. Forms dormant cysts which remain viable for years and can be excysted in fresh medium..<p>Cultures usually remain active for one to two weeks if kept at room temperature ...

Smaller species with one macro & two micronuclei.

An excellent example of a symbiotic relationship with an algae. The green colouration of the ciliate is imparted by the presence of symbiont zoochlorellae in the cytoplasm.

The 'slipper animalcule' named after the resemblance of its pellicle to the shape of a slipper. Probably the most popular textbook species for illustrating ciliate morphology and behavioural traits. Although the organism is highly motile our cultures often...

An exemplary carnivorous suctorian for demonstrating the characteristic tentacular feeding mechanisms.The effectiveness of the tentacles for capturing and ingesting the cell contents of food prey can be observed by feeding on Colpidium spp.The organism is s...

Predatory haptorid with peristomial trichites.

One of the largest ciliates, up to 4mm in length and preferring nearly anaerobic (polysaprobic) conditions where organic decay sustains the rich bacterial flora it feeds on. The exceptional size and contractility of form provides fascinating viewing.

A recommended species much better and larger than Paramecium for showing ciliary membranelles, the clearer endoplasm reveals a central macronucleus and posterior contractile vacuole.

The textbook 'Trumpet animalcule' a large bluish-green pigmented species with a visibly distinct lobular macronucleus. A prominent crown of membranelles create a vortex attracting food particles towards its buccal cavity. Fascinating to observe swimming or ...

Beautiful 'green colouration' from symbiotic zoochlorellae.

Graceful and slender non-pigmented species with lorica.

Planktonic oligotrich which ingests bacteria and unicellular algae. <p>Cultures usually remain viable for several days if kept at room temperature 10-22°C and longer when kept in a non-domestic refrigerator +4°C. <p>Forms dormant cysts which remain viabl...

A large and visibly interesting hypotrich, ideal for studying ciliary organelles, feeding and locomotion. Cultures contain Chlamydomonas an algal food source. Forms dormant cysts which remain viable for years and can be excysted in fresh medium..<p>Cultu...

Large onnivorous hypotrich with dorsal bristles.

Large free swimming stalkless peritrich..

Small hymenostome ciliate.

Curious bactivorous holotrich, forms cysts.

Ciliated girdle and dorsal tail for rapid spinning motility.

Long algivorous hypotrich with 'tail'

Estuarine sp. with compounf cirri.

The 'Bell animalcule' a good example of a stalked peritrich, the mature stage (zooid) is attached to the substratum by a highly contractile stalk. Cultures may also show swimming telotroch larvae a stage of asexual reproduction.

A large predatory, ribbon like ciliate which feeds primarily on Paramecium . Cells are quite flexible and have a row of conspicuous contractile vacuoles. Cultures contain enough Paramecium caudatum food prey to sustain them for 7+ days.

Small vigorous,marine ciliate.

A large fascinating, marine hypotrich, reddish-brown cells. Highly flexible and adheres strongly to the substrate. Feeds on diatoms.

Large elongate, interstitial ciliate