Scuticociliatia is a subclass of ciliates in the class Oligohymenophorea. Its members are called scuticociliates. These unicellulareukaryotes are microorganisms that are usually free-living and can be found in freshwater, marine, and soil habitats.[2] Around 20 members of the group have been identified as causative agents of the disease scuticociliatosis, in which the ciliates are parasites of other marine organisms. Species known to be susceptible include a broad range of teleosts, seahorses, sharks, and some crustaceans.[3] Since 2022 there have also been several reports that scuticociliates might be responsible for mass die-off events of sea urchins across the world's oceans.[4]
References
^Small, Eugene B. (October 1967). "The Scuticociliatida, a New Order of the Class Ciliatea (Phylum Protozoa, Subphylum Ciliophora)". Transactions of the American Microscopical Society. 86 (4): 345. doi:10.2307/3224258.
