Ciliophoran.
/sɪlɪˈɒf(ə)rə/, U.S. /ˌsɪliˈɑfərə/ Zoology.
With plural agreement: a large phylum (or kingdom) comprising the ciliate protozoans, characterized by the possession of cilia or ciliary structures, and both macronuclei and micronuclei. Also: protozoans of this phylum (collectively or individually); ciliates.Formerly regarded as a class or subphylum (also called Ciliata) of the phylum Protozoa.
ΚΠ
1915 New Phytologist 14 96 Doflein (1911) made a twofold division into Ciliophora (Infusoria) with locomotion by cilia, and Plasmodroma with locomotion organs derived from protoplasmic processes.
1946 Jrnl. Parasitol. 32 465 Purple staining granules are commonly found with the Romanowsky method in the cytoplasm of certain Sporozoa, Rhizopoda, Ciliophora and Mastigophora.
1974 Systematic Zool. 23 91 A revised scheme of classification for the Ciliophora, now believed to represent a separate protistan phylum in its own right, needs to be developed.
2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life ii. iii. 151 The ciliates as understood correspond to the group that are commonly called Ciliophora.
Derivatives
ciliˈophoran adj. and n.
ΚΠ
1956 Systematic Zool. 5 77/2 We should consider briefly the major areas in the hierarchy of ciliophoran forms which have been subjected to most significant revision.
1987 M. S. Laverack & J. Dando Lect. Notes Invertebr. Zool. (ed. 3) ii. 24/1 The parasitic ciliophorans..which occur in the rumen of ruminants, are best considered as symbionts.
2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life ii. iii. 147 Ciliophorans (or ciliates) propel themselves by cilia, at least when young, and never move in an amoeboid fashion.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1915