Spirotrichea: Heterotrichia: Blepharismidae: Blepharisma Blepharisma japonicum Suzuki, 1954 Synonym: B. undulans japonicus Suzuki, 1954)

Genus: Elongate, ovoid; anterior apex often curves over the peristome; non contractile (Carey, 1992). In front of cytostome a two-layered undulating membrane on right edge; contractile vacuole and cytopyge terminal; rose-colored; many species (Kudo, 1966). Species: 150-500 μm long; 25-35 ciliary rows on one side; macronucleus filiform; ends of macronucleus may become enlarged (Giese, 1973).

Blepharisma japonicum var. intermedium, macronucleus cylindrical with inconspicuous terminal swellings, 1-2; a cell stained with azure C, 3; an isolated nucleus; by Y. Tsukii
100 μm 200 μm 300 μm; x 200

B. japonicum var. intermedium Bhandary, 1962: 200-350 μm long, cannibal giants may reach 600 μm long, peristome 1/3 cell length, macronucleus cylindrical with inconspicuous terminal swellings, 6-30 micronuclei (Giese, 1973).
B. japonicum var. microstomata Isquith, 1966: 200-350 μm long, peristome narrow, macronucleus without taper or terminal swellings, 6-14 micronuclei (Giese, 1973).
B. japonicum var. nilssoni Repak, 1967: 250-400 μm long, knobbed macronucleus about 2/3 cell length (Giese, 1973).