What is astomenda?

Astomenda is a genus of single-celled organisms known as ciliates. These microscopic organisms are found in freshwater and marine environments around the world. Astomenda ciliates are characterized by their lack of a permanent mouth, instead relying on specialized structures called cytostomes to ingest food particles. They are important components of aquatic ecosystems, serving as primary consumers and playing a role in nutrient cycling. Astomenda species are often used as model organisms in scientific research to study ciliate biology, ecology, and evolution.