Parablepharismea are medium to large, elongated ciliates with navicular outline and holotrichous somatic ciliature composed of dikinetids without postciliodesmata.[2][1] Their oral ciliature is composed of bipartite paroral membrane and adoral zone of membranelles. They host a thick coat of prokaryotic ectosymbionts and cytoplasmic endosymbionts. They are found in micro-oxic marine to brackish habitats.
This class contains a single order, Parablepharismida,[1] and family Parablepharismidae.[2] The genusParablepharisma[4][5] includes five species. The genusKahlium includes a single speciesK. chlamydophorum with segmented paroral area and a twisted posterior.[2]
^abcdCampello-Nunes, Pedro H.; Fernandes, Noemi M.; Szokoli, Franziska; Fokin, Sergei I.; Serra, Valentina; Modeo, Letizia; Petroni, Giulio; Soares, Carlos A. G.; Paiva, Thiago da S.; Silva-Neto, Inácio D. da (2020-04-01). "Parablepharisma (Ciliophora) is not a Heterotrich: A Phylogenetic and Morphological Study with the Proposal of New Taxa".Protist.171 (2) 125716.doi:10.1016/j.protis.2020.125716.ISSN1434-4610.PMID32086115.S2CID211246127.
^Kahl, Alfred (1932).Urtiere oder Protozoa I: Wimpertiere oder Ciliata (Infusoria). Tierwelt. Die Tierwelt und der angrenzenden Meeresteile. Jena, Germany: Fischer. pp. 398 pages.
^Jankowski, A. W. (2007).Handbook on Zoology, Phylum Ciliophora Doflein, 1901 Alimov, AF, editor. Protista, Part 2. St. Petersburg, Russia: Nauka. pp. 415–993.
