Kiitoksia

Kiitoksia is a genus of aquatic protozoa.  The taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain and it has not been placed in any classification below the kingdom of Protista. 

Two species are known in the genus: Kiitoksia ystava and Kiitoksia kaloista.  K. ystava was first discovered in Tvärminne in the Gulf of Finland.  K. kaloista was discovered in Sombre Lake on Signy Island, near Antarctica. 

The Kiitoksia species are single-celled organisms approximately 2-4 micrometres in size and round in shape.  The species can be distinguished by their flagella: K. ystava has two flagella, one short and one long, while K. kaloista has one long flagellum. 

Name 
"" is a Finnish word for "thanks".  The phrase "" means "thank you, friend", while "" means "thanks for the fish".  The latter name is a reference to the Douglas Adams novel of a similar name. 

References 

 BENTHIC HETEROTROPHIC FLAGELLATES FROM THE RED SEA LITTORAL (THE GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT).  TIKHONENKOV D. V, Zoologičeskij žurnal, 2009, vol.  88, no11, pp.  1291-1297, 

Category:Eukaryote genera