Tetrahymena thermophila
| Tetrahymena thermophila | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Ciliophora |
| Class: | Oligohymenophorea |
| Order: | Hymenostomatida |
| Family: | Tetrahymenidae |
| Genus: | Tetrahymena |
| Species: | T. thermophila |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetrahymena thermophila Nanney & McCoy, 1976 | |
Tetrahymena thermophila is a species of Ciliophora in the family Tetrahymenidae. It is a free living protozoon and occurs in fresh water.
There is little information on the ecology and natural history of this species, but it is the most widely known and widely studied species in the genus Tetrahymena.: 12 The species has been used as a model organism for molecular and cellular biology. It has also helped in the discovery of new genes as well as helping to understand the mechanisms of function of certain genes. Studies on this species have contributed to major discoveries in biology.
For example, the MAT locus found in this species has provided a foundation for the evolution of mating systems.: 6–7
The species was at first considered to be a form of Tetrahymena pyriformis.: 258 T. malaccensis is the closest relative toT. thermophila.: 284