A new species of Trichomonas (Protozoa: Mastigophora) parasitic in the slender loris.

Abstract

Trichomonas tardigradi n. sp., from the intestine of Slender Loris, Loris tadrigradus lydekkerianus, Cabrera, 1908, is described. The dimensions (in microns) are: range of length 5–12, average 7.5; range of breadth 2.8–7.5, average 5.3. The normal shape is pyriform. Two blepharoplasts are present. The primary blepharoplast gives rise to the axostyle, the costa and the posterior flagellum. From the secondary blepharoplast emerge the three anterior flagella, of these two are equal in length and the third is slightly shorter. The undulating membrane is poorly developed with usually one or two folds rarely three. A costa and filamentous axostyle are always present on opposite sides of the nucleus. The parabasal body consists of a single ramus and ends in a flat leaf-like structure. The oval nucleus measure 2.7×2.0.