Morphological studies on some free living ciliates (Ciliophora: Heterotrichida, Hypotrichida) from marine biotopes in Qingdao, China, with descriptions of three new species: Holosticha warreni nov. spec, Tachysoma ovata nov. spec. and T. dragescoi nov. spec.

Abstract

Summary The morphology and infraciliature of five heterotrichous and hypotrichous marine ciliates were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation: Peritromus faurei Kahl, 1932, Kiitricha marina, Nozawa, 1941, Holosticha warreni nov. spec., Tachysoma ovata nov. spec. and T. dragescoi nov. spec. According to our observations and comparison, Peritromus minor Ozaki & Yagiu, 1941, P. californiens Kirby, 1934, P. kahli Villeneuve-Brachon, 1940 and P. tortugensis Bullington, 1940 are synonymous with Peritromus faurei. Our investigations do not support the hypothesis suggested by some authors that Kiitricha marina has a close relationship with euplotids. Holosticha warreni: 80–120×40–55 μm sized marine Holosticha with 1 buccal, 2 frontoterminal, 10–12 transverse cirri and about 28 membranelies; midventral row with 7–9 cirral pairs extending to 2/3 of cell length; cortical granules conspicuous, flattened-ovoid with central depression, arranged in 3 irregular rows; 3 dorsal kineties; about 50 macronuclear segments in ring-like band. Tachysoma ovata: marine, body delicate and slightly twisted, in vivo about 35–50×20–30 μm with 14–15 left and 13–17 right marginal cirri and about 14–17 membranelies; cortical granules sparse, on both dorsal and ventral side, 2 macro- and 1 micronucleus; 3 dorsal kineties. Tachysoma dragescoi: small marine Tachysoma, 40–50×20–25 μm, 7–9 left and 5–8 right marginal cirri; about 12–15 membranelies; cortical granules in groups of 2–4 arranged in irregular rows; 3 dorsal kineties; 2 macround 2 micronuclei.