The retortamonads are a small group of flagellates, mostly found in the intestines of animals, although some are free-living. They are usually around 5-20 μm in length. There are two genera: Retortamonas with two flagella, and Chilomastix with four. In both cases there are four basal bodies anterior to a prominent feeding groove, and one flagellum is directed back through the cell, emerging from the groove.
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