A genus of colonial ciliate protozoans that live in water and form branching, stalk-like structures attached to surfaces.
From Greek 'epi-' (upon) + Latin 'stylus' (column, stalk), named for their characteristic upright stalk-like appearance when attached to surfaces.
These microscopic creatures look like tiny trees under a microscope—they're named 'epistylis' because their stalks resemble architectural columns!
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