Euchlanis is a genus of rotifers belonging to the family Euchlanidae.
Sometimes alternatively referred to as wheel animalcules, rotifers feature a characteristic circular arrangement of cilia at their front ends that is reminiscent of a turning wheel when they are in motion. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Description Rotifers have a characteristic circular arrangement of cilia at their front ends. These cilia are used to bring food particles, including bacteria, debris and small protozoans, towards the mouth. A mastax, a jaw-like structure, grinds the food as it enters the stomach. Excretory structures known as flame cells create a current that drains them into the intestines or the bladder. They have transparent bodies and two strong structures that are used for swimming. They are sheathed in a glassy shell secreted by their outer skin.
Species The following species are accepted: Euchlanis alata Voronkov, 1912 Euchlanis arenosa Myers, 1936 Euchlanis callimorpha Berzinš, 1957 Euchlanis callysta Myers, 1930 Euchlanis calpidia (Myers, 1930) Euchlanis contorta (Wulfert, 1939) Euchlanis dactyliseta Sudzuki, 1998 Euchlanis dapidula Parise, 1966 Euchlanis deflexa Gosse, 1851 Euchlanis dilatata Ehrenberg, 1832 Euchlanis hyphidactyla Parise, 1963 Euchlanis incisa Carlin, 1939 Euchlanis ligulata Kutikova & Vassiljeva, 1982 Euchlanis lucksiana Hauer Euchlanis lyra Hudson, 1886 Euchlanis mamorokaensis Berzinš, 1973 Euchlanis meneta Myers, 1930 Euchlanis mikropous Koch-Althaus, 1962 Euchlanis oropha Gosse, 1887 Euchlanis parameneta Berzinš, 1957 Euchlanis perpusilla De Ridder, 1977 Euchlanis phryne Myers, 1930 Euchlanis pyriformis Gosse, 1851 Euchlanis semicarinata Segers, 1993 Euchlanis triquetra Ehrenberg, 1838
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