[Proposition of a new classification of the phylum of the protozoa Ciliophora Doflein, 1901].

It is proposed to use all the presently available molecular, ultrastructural, biological and ecological data on ciliates for the new classification of this group of protists. On the basis of the cortical organization and the mode of cilia anchoring as well as the degree of conservation of the cortical pattern during the process of morphogenesis, eleven classes (Karyorelictea, Heterotrichea, Hypotrichea, Oligotrichea, Plagiopylea, Colpodea, Litostomatea, Vestibuliferea, Phyllopharyngea, Nassophorea and Oligohymenophorea) have been distinguished. These classes, in turn, were, according to the "shell theory" of Fleury and coworkers (1992), grouped into three subphyla: Tubulicorticata (presence of the cortical microtubular lattices), Filicorticata (characteristic ecto-endoplasmic microfibrillar boundary) and Epiplasmata (presence of a sub-membraneous epiplasmic layer).