Ciliates are single-celled microscopic organisms and are a hugely diverse phyla in the Protista kingdom, characterized by their cilia (from the Latin for hairs) which they use for swimming, feeding and sensing their environment amongst other things.
Some ciliates are separated out into their own categories, i.e. Stentors, Vorticella etc..
Paramecium caudatum
Coleps
Lacrymaria
Coleps
Two affectionate ciliates :-)
Ciliate feeding on deceased copepod
Paramecium caudatum
Paramecium caudatum reproducing via asexual binary fission
Two ciliates feeding on deceased flatworm
Paramecium bursaria
Paramecium caudatum rush hour :-)