Observations on the Ultrastructure of the Buccal Apparatus in Thigmotrich Ciliates and their Bearing on Thigmotrich‐Peritrich Affinities

SYNOPSIS. In the first use of electron microscopy in a comparative investigation of ciliates belonging to the order Thigmotrichida, ultrastructural data were collected on ciliary organelles of the buccal area. Species studied included members of the genera Ancistrum and Boveria. Analysis of the findings suggest close affinities between thigmotrich and peritrich ciliates. Further comparison with studies on hymenostome (sensu lato) ciliates supportes the hypothesis of a common ancestral stock in the phylogenetic history of all 3 of these groups. Structures very likely homologous in species of hymenostomes, thigmotrichs, and peritrichs include: the undulating membrane, the polykineties, the oral ribs, the filamentous reticulum, and a small field of barren kinetosomes.