Macrotrichomonas Grassi 1917

Large devescovinids (26-91µm) with three anterior flagella and a well developed trailing one, band formed in some species (1-1.5 times the length of the body). Cresta developed into a broad internal membrane reaching from the nucleus to the periphery of the body. Parabasal body coiled around the trunk of the axostyle (1-13 turns). Axostyle tapering posteriorly with a pointed end generally with a posterior projection. Among the seven species occurring in 23 termite hosts, M. pulchra has been found in termites of the genus Glyptotermes and other Kalotermitidae (Kirby, 1942a, GrassÚ and Hollande, 1950; GrassÚ, 1952a); ultrastructural study by Hollande and Valentin (1969a). Type species: Macrotrichomonas pulchra Grassi 1917.