Genus Acineta Ehrenberg, 1834

Diagnosis. Marine and freshwater loricate suctorian ciliate, triangular or rarely disc-shaped. Cell body laterally compressed and trapezium-like. Tentacles arranged in fascicles or rows. Macronucleus ovoid or ribbon-like. Solid stalk of variable length. Reproduction by monogemmic or polygemmic internal budding. Swarmers usually ovoidshaped.

Remarks. The genus Acineta is one of the largest suctorian genus that comprises numerous species (62 after Dovgal 2002) morphologically very similar (Curds 1985; Matthes et al. 1988; Fernandez-Leborans & Tato-Porto 2000a). These two points make necessary the integration of data and characters for a more defined taxonomical identification.