Dartintinnus alderae n. g., n. sp., a Brackish Water Tintinnid (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea) with Dual-ended Lorica Collapsibility.

Abstract

A tintinnid ciliate isolated from waters of the Thames River (Connecticut, USA) is described through combined invivo observation, protargol impregnation, and phylogenetic analysis. The novel genus Dartintinnus and its type species, D.alderae are distinct from established tintinnid taxa by a lorica that collapses on both anterior and posterior ends. Dartintinnus is placed in the family Eutintinnidae based on a hyaline, elongated lorica opened at both ends, a ciliary pattern including a ventral kinety, at least one dorsal kinety, and right, left and lateral fields, and a sister relationship with Eutintinnus in gene trees. Main differences between D.alderae and Eutintinnus species include a 5.5-6.5% divergence in the small subunit rRNA gene, the geometry of the lorica (resembling an isosceles tetrahedron when collapsed vs. a cylinder, respectively), the number of macronuclear nodules (two vs. four), and the number of dorsal kineties (one vs. usually two). Considering the features of the new genus, we improve the diagnosis of the family Eutintinnidae, including the presence of a lateral ciliary field that had been overlooked in some Eutintinnus species. This work exemplifies the potential for novel diversity, even in these relatively well-studied protists, and the importance of an integrated approach for the description of tintinnid taxa.