1. Tintinnids
Marcel Hernandez

2. Tintinnids are ciliated protists
Members of the zooplankton
Ring of cilia used for locomotion and for gathering food

3. distinguished by vase-shaped shells called loricae, which are mostly protein but may incorporate minute pieces of minerals
Although appearing as early as the Ordovician period, tintinnids became abundant in the fossil record during the Jurassic

4. important part of the fossil record because of the rarity with which most other ciliates become preserved under the conditions of the marine environment
The loricae of some tintinnids are easily preserved, giving them a relatively good fossil record
Like other protists, tintinnids are single-celled organisms