Editing Blepharisma (section)

{{Short description|Genus of single-celled organisms}}
{{Automatic taxobox  
| image = Mikrofoto.de-Blepharisma japonicum 15.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Blepharisma japonicum]]''
| image_upright = 1.1
| taxon = Blepharisma
| authority = Perty, 1852
}}

'''''Blepharisma''''' is a [[genus]] of [[unicellular]] [[ciliate]] [[protists]] found in fresh and salt water.  The group includes about 40 accepted species, and many sub-varieties and strains.  While species vary considerably in size and shape, most are easily identified by their red or pinkish color, which is caused by granules of the pigment blepharismin.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Defensive Function of Pigment Granules in ''Blepharisma japonicum'' | journal = European Journal of Protistology | date = June 29, 1990 | last1 = Miyake| volume = 25 | pages = 310–315| doi = 10.1016/S0932-4739(11)80122-7 | pmid = 23196043 | first1 = Akio | issue = 4|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

All members of the genus possess a long series of [[membranelle]]s on the left side of the oral groove, and  an "undulating membrane" (a structure resembling a flap, scarf or small sail, composed of long cilia fused together as a single sheet) on the right side of the [[peristome]], toward the posterior.<ref name="Hirshfield">{{cite journal | title = A proposed organization of the genus ''Blepharisma'' Perty and description of four new species | journal = The Journal of Protozoology | last = Hirshfield | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 136–144| doi=10.1111/j.1550-7408.1965.tb01826.x|display-authors=etal| year = 1965 }}</ref>

Certain species of ''Blepharisma'' have served as [[model organism]]s for scientific research.  Since some varieties are easily cultured and readily available from scientific supply houses, they are a common object of study in school science classes.