[1] The species H. exaratum was the first heteronemid with a skidding motion to be sequenced, which led to the discovery that it was not closely related to H. scaphrum, contrary to what was previously assumed, but instead to a sister group of primary osmotrophs.

[1] It was difficult separating this genus from Peranema; however, in 1967 Leedale described Parenema to be different based on a more flattened morphology and a trailing flagellum pressed to the side of the cell compared to Heteronema.

[1][2] Euglenoids are assigned to this genus if they have characteristics such as an ingestion apparatus, a capacity for flagellar movement, and a recurrent flagellum that is not adpressed to the ventral side of the cell.

[2] Heteronema, under the light microscope, is morphologically similar to Peranema, where both groups are metabolic, have the ability to glide, have visible feedings rods, and two different flagellum on opposite ends of the cell.

[2] The skidding behavior is very similar to the primary osmotrophs, where the motion is powered by the beating of the anterior flagellum, positioned in a curve to the right of the cell, in a sinusoidal pattern.

[9][7] Heteronema is generally widespread and commonly found in brackish pools and fresh water ponds; however, some species are observed to exist in marine environments.

[10] After the duplication of the nucleus and cytoskeleton, a cleavage furrow appears, migrating from the flagellar pocket to the anterior opening, and then to the posterior end, separating the parent from the daughter cell.