Hypermastigia

**Definition:** A class of endosymbiont EUKARYOTES, in the group PARABASALIDEA, that are obligate mutualists in the digestive tracts of wood-eating insects. Hypermastigotes produce CELLULASE that breaks down the cellulose in wood so that insects can metabolize it.

**Tree numbers:** - B01.630.399

**Synonyms:** - Hypermastigotes