On Two Hyalospora Species from Spanish Microcoryphia: Hyalospora volsella Tuzet & Ormières, 1956 and Hyalospora gigantea sp. nov. (Eugregarinida, Hirmocystidae)

Abstract

Summary Gregarines of the genus Hyalospora (Eugregarinida, Hirmocystidae) are for the first time reported from Spain (Cordoba and Hornachuelos). The host records, from bristletails of the families Machilidae and Meinertellidae (Microcoryphia), are new to science. Hyalospora volsella Tuzet & Ormieeres, 1956 was isolated from Machilinus rupestris gallicus and Promesomachilis hispanica. The new species Hyalospora gigantea sp. nov. was found in Promesomachilis hispanica. It has a persistent, spherical epimerite, lacking holdfast structures. The protomerite is almost spherical. The shape of the deutomerite is variable (tapering posteriorly or with widest posterior end). In associated gamonts the protomerite of the satellite is retracted into the deutomerite of the satellite. Associations measure about 1000 µm. The ultrastructural cytology, which is briefly described, conforms to the normal for eugregarines. The characteristic epicyte exhibits three types of folds, which are densely coated with fibrous projections, at least on the vertical surfaces. The new species, which is considered identical to the great morph of Hyalospora roscoviana, reported by Tuzet & Ormieres (1954) , is described, and the discrimination from other Hyalospora species of bristletails is discussed.