The Filipodium is a genus of parasitic alveolates in Squirmida. This genus was described by Hukui in 1939.

Taxonomy

It is a squirmid. The type species is Filipodium ozakai.

Description

The trophonts of the genus Filipodium are covered with hair-like projections called cytopili and possess a high capacity for contraction, such as bending and twisting. These trophonts are supported by tubular extensions of the cortical alveoli but lack a microtubular or fibrillar axoneme. In some species, at least the cytopili are arranged longitudinally in every third or fifth longitudinal groove; the cell tip is flattened, can often expand laterally, and is triangular in shape with rounded corners, being wider than the body.

Life cycle

The species infects sipunculid worms.