Abstract

SYNOPSIS. A previous study with P. de Puytorac on O. bacterocaryon(3) has shown the methods of studying this Ciliate and has specified the general and buccal morphology, the morphogenesis, and the biology of vegetative individuals (theront, trophont, tomont, tomites) of this species. Three species we are describing now offer numerous common features with O. bacterocaryon. We consider them as the proper characters of genus Ophryoglena and we only insist on the specific particularities of O. gelifera, O. mucosa and O. multimicronucleata. O. gelifera is a large Ophryoglene differing from the others by a slightly asymetric, curved, spindle‐shaped theront; the ellipsoidal tomont secretes abundant and clear jelly. The theront possesses one thick spindle‐shaped macronucleus, one voluminous spherical micronucleus, fitting with the macronucleus. Its somatic infraciliature is dense, its buccal infraciliature is characteristic, especially in the shape of peniculus P1. This species cannot be mistaken for O. pectans Mugard(2) although it is rather near it. O. mucosa is a very small Ophryoglene. The theront has one thick elliptical macronucleus, one small micronucleus; the buccal orifice is not kidney‐shaped, but quite pointed in front; there is no tragus; the somatic infraciliature is not close; the peniculus P1 is characteristic. The tomont is ellipsoidal and surrounded by a thick mucous gangue. The tomites are not close together. O. mucosa is very different from O. gelifera and O. pectans Mugard(2). O. multimicronucleata. Near to O. polymicrocaryon Mugard(2), this Ophryoglene differs from it by the small size of all its vegetative elements and especially by its nuclear‐apparatus. The latter includes numerous (5 to 6) bulky spherical micronuclei and one macronucleus looking like blackpudding which can be compared to that of O. singularis Canella and Trinchas(1). The theront is spindle‐shaped and of a dark‐grey colour. The spherical tomont secretes a mucous gangue which is not very thick. Besides, the somatic infraciliature and buccal in fraciliature of the theront (peniculus P1 especially) make O. multi micronucleata quite distinct from O. polymicrocaryon Mugard(2).

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