Opalinids are a small group of peculiar cosmopolitan organisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. Recent classification places the opalinids as heterotrophic stramenopiles (heterokonts) within the phylum Placidozoa, class Opalinea, and order Slopalinida.

How many nucleus does Opalina?

Although these flagella look like cilia, the basic organization is quite different. Opalinids have 2 to numerous identical nuclei; micro- or macronuclei are always absent. Asexual reproduction occurs by longitudinal-oblique binary fission ( Figs.

Is Opalina Multinucleated?

The most studied genus of opalinids is Opalina. Its cells are characterized as flattened, flexible, elliptical to elongated and with multiple nuclei (Fig. 1a).