The cells are generally around 10 μm in length, without any shell or covering. They produce filosepseudopods to capturebacteria, but do not use them for locomotion, which usually takes place by gliding along surfaces.
Most members have twoflagella,[4] one directed forward and one trailing under the cell, inserted at right angles near its anterior. Thenucleus is connected to the flagellar bases and accompanied by a characteristic paranuclear body.
The classification of genera and species continues to undergo revision. Some genera have been merged, likeCercomonas andCercobodo. Others likeHelkesimastix,Sainouron andCholamonas have been moved to Helkesida,[6] while the rest of the familyHeteromitidae has been moved toGlissomonadida.[7] Most recently, the familyParacercomonadidae, previously included in this order, has been separated into its own orderParacercomonadida. This change has madeCercomonadidae the only existing family of cercomonads.[2][8]
CercomonasDujardin 1841 emend. Karpov et al. 2006 non emend. Ekelund et al. 2004 [CercobodoKrassilstschick 1886;CercomastixLemmermann 1913;DimastigamoebaBlochmann 1894; ?MukdeniamonasSkwortzov 1960; ?ChangiaSkwortzov 1960 non Sun 1924; ?ReptomonasKent 1880;DimorphaKlebs 1892 non Gruber 1882]
^Karpov SA, Bass D, Mylnikov AP, Cavalier-Smith T (June 2006). "Molecular phylogeny of Cercomonadidae and kinetid patterns of Cercomonas and Eocercomonas gen. nov. (Cercomonadida, Cercozoa)".Protist.157 (2):125–58.doi:10.1016/j.protis.2006.01.001.PMID16647880.
^Bass, D.; Howe, A.; Mylnikov, A.; Vickerman, K.; Chao, E.; Edwards Smallbone, J.; Snell, J.; Cabral Jr, J.; Cavalier-Smith, T. (2009). "Phylogeny and Classification of Cercomonadida (Protozoa, Cercozoa): Cercomonas, Eocercomonas, Paracercomonas, and Cavernomonas gen. Nov".Protist.160 (4):483–521.doi:10.1016/j.protis.2009.01.004.PMID19589724.
^Howe, A. T.; Bass, D.; Vickerman, K.; Chao, E. E.; Cavalier-Smith, T. (2009). "Phylogeny, taxonomy, and astounding genetic diversity of Glissomonadida ord. nov., the dominant gliding zooflagellates in soil (Protozoa: Cercozoa)".Protist.160 (2):159–189.doi:10.1016/j.protis.2008.11.007.PMID19324594.
