Atopospira galeata was first described in 1927 by Kahl as Metopus galeatus. In 2014 the species was redescribed by Bourland & Wendell who transferred the species to the genus Atopospira and renamed in Atopospira galeata. The genus Atopospira was erected by Jankowski in 1964.

So far I could find Atopospira galeata only in the Simmelried, where the species occurs very rarely. The specimens shown below were found in January 2008, February 2019 and August 2021.

Even at low magnification Atopospira galeata is easily recognized by its helmet-shaped apical dome, which is slightly upturned at the margins (s. fig. 1 a). The species is coverslip sensitive, which is why I could only take images of freely swimming specimens. Most specimens are filled with food vacuoles full of sulfur and rhodobacteria, making them appear yellowish-green or pink in color. The margin of the apical dome bears a wreath of very long cilia, which perform a ruderate movement (s fig. 4 a). The long caudal cilia are delicate and are quickly shed.