Observations on Askenasia volvox (Claparède & Lachmann, 1859)

Specimens of Askenasia volvox from southwestern Indiana have a variable body shape and a size range of 29 × 22 μ m to 42 × 27 μ m. The pectinelles, membranelles, and cirri each number 47–48, and respectively have a length of 8–10, 20, and 30 μ m. The pectinelles arise from ciliary rows consisting of ～10 kinetosomes, and every membranelle originates from 2 adjacent rows of ～14–17 kinetosomes. Different algae as well as Bodo and certain other protozoa are ingested. The macronucleus, micronucleus, the cytoplasm and its inclusions, trichites, the function of the contractile vacuole, and movements and behavior are described.