Genus Ciliophrys Cienkowski, 1876

Diagnosis. Cell spherical, with numerous axopodia which are connected to the surface of the central nucleus; cell in heliozoan stage closely attached to the substrate by a short stalk from its posterior end; one single apical flagellum usually immotile or moving slowly; swimming stage with resorbed axopodia and the flagellum pointing forward; swimming cells often ovate to spindle shaped. The short stalk attaching the cell to the substrate is not easily seen with the light microscope. Cell division occurs in the heliozoan stage, often with a contraction of the axopods.

Ecology. Reported from fresh water and marine habitats. Common in different water types.