Kiitoksia | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Protozoa |
Subkingdom: | Sarcomastigota |
Order: | Flagellata |
Genus: | Kiitoksia N.Vørs, 1992[1] |
Type species | |
Kiitoksia ystava Vørs 1992
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Species[2] | |
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Kiitoksia is a genus of aquatic protist. The taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain and it has not found a robust location in any subgroup.[3]
Two species are confidently 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. A third species, K. parva was transferred from the genus Clautriavia by Smith and Scoble [4]
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.[3][5]
"Kiitoksia" is a Finnish word for "thanks". The phrase "kiitoksia, ystävä" means "thank you, my old friend", while "kiitoksia kaloista" means "thanks for the fish". The latter name is a reference to the Douglas Adams novel, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.[6]