Helicostomella

By: V. Sed

General Description

The tintinnid Helicostomella ranges in size from 20-200 µm and can be found in neritic habitats. tintinnid stippleLike all tintinnids, Helicostomella has a lorica, which is an outer shell. Each order of tintinnids has an unique shape. Helicostomella can be identified by its distinct conical shaped lorica. Cilia located around the organisms’ mouth not only aide in feeding, but also movement. Tintinnids belong to the diverse taxinomical group microzooplankton. They’re responsible for grazing upon algal blooms and recycling nutrients. Tintinnids are also critical in the planktonic food web as they make up roughly 30% of  a copepods’ diet.

 

 
References

“Tintinnid.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 17 May 2016.

Smith, DeBoyd L., and K.B Johnson. A Guide to Marine Coastal Plankton and Marine Invertebrate Larvae. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub., 1996. Print.

Dolan, J. R. (2013). The biology and ecology of tintinnid ciliates: Models for marine plankton. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.