Loxodidae

Loxodidae is a family of karyorelict ciliates.

Loxodidae members possess an elongated, laterally flattened shape. They share two key characters: a beak-like anterior rostrum interrupting the perioral kineties, and peculiar cytoplasmic organelles named Müller vesicles.

The extensive development of lacunae of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum leads to strong vacuolization of the endoplasm. This feature is associated to a lack of contractile vacuoles in all loxodids.

The term Loxodidae derives from the ancient Greek λοξός (loxós), meaning "oblique, tilted".