Transverse Cirri Research Articles

First Record of Two Euplotes Ciliates (Ciliophora: Spirotrichea: Euplotida) from Korea

Two marine euplotid ciliates, i.e. Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932 and E. minuta Yocom, 1930, were collected from the public waterfront of Incheon on the Yellow Sea and from the Songjeong Beach, Busan, in the Strait of Korea, respectively. These two species were verified as unrecorded species in Korea. These species were described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and silver nitrate impregnation. In addition, the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences of the two species were compared with previously known sequences of the Euplotes species. Euplotes cristatus has an elongated oval form, size in vivo of <TEX>$60-84{\times}38-68\;{\mu}m$</TEX>, 35-50 adoral zone of membranelles (AZM), 10 frontoventral cirri (FVC), 5 transverse cirri (TC), 4-5 caudal cirri (CC), 8 dorsal kineties (DK), 10-16 dorsal cilia of middle DK, and silverline system of single-vannus type. Euplotes minuta has a small ovoid form (<TEX>$44-53{\times}26-35\;{\mu}m$</TEX> in vivo), 31-41 AZM, 10 FVC, 5 TC, 4 CC, 9 DK, 10-12 dorsal cilia of middle DK, and silverline system of single-vannus type.

Transverse cirrus bands in weather systems: a grand tour of an enduring enigma

W ether – Feruary 210, ol. 5, o. 2 thunderstorm systems were formed over the ocean near to the western coast of Portugal and moved slowly towards the Lisbon region throughout the night, between the late hours of 17 February and the early hours of 18 February. By the time those convective cells reached the Lisbon area, deep cloud systems had moved and passed slowly over the study area for more than eight hours, being responsible for intense precipitation activity that resulted in accumulated values exceeding 100 millimetres. The effects of the storm in the Lisbon metropolitan region were harmful and in some cases even ruinous. A large number of urban inundations and country flash-floods have caused loss of life and serious damage to property, demonstrating some lack of preparedness on the part of the city to respond suitably to these natural hazards and risks. These facts show the importance of studying with more detail the impacts and consequences of an extreme rainstorm in Lisbon, in order to prevent future disasters and to propose suitable mitigation measures.

New Record of Two Species in Stichotrichous Ciliates (Ciliophora: Stichotrichia) from Korea

Two stichotrichous ciliates, Amphisiella annulata (Kahl, 1928) and Pseudoamphisiella alveolata (Kahl, 1932), were collected from the Yellow Sea in Incheon, Korea and were identified as new to Korea. The main diagnostic key to the species of the genera are that the two species share the features of two macronuclear nodules, one marginal row per side, and transverse cirri. A. annulata is distinguishable from other members in the genus mainly due to the several ring-shaped (hollow) structures in its cytoplasm and its wide and narrowly arranged amphisiellid median cirral row. P. alveolata has a conspicuous alveolar layer and two conspicuous macronuclear nodules, but no frontoterminal cirri.

Phylogenetic analyses suggest thatPsammomitra(Ciliophora, Urostylida) should represent an urostylid family, based on small subunit rRNA and alpha-tubulin gene sequence information

The morphologically unique ciliate Psammomitra has long been considered as a systematically uncertain stichotrich. This is mainly because of its highly specialized morphology and a lack of either detailed information concerning its ontogenesis, or molecular data. Based on the small subunit rRNA (SSrRNA) gene and alpha-tubulin gene sequences, we re-evaluated the phylogenetic position of Psammomitra retractilis using multiple algorithms. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the SSrRNA gene sequences representing a total of 53 spirotrichs demonstrated the closest relationship of Psammomitra was with Holosticha-like taxa, with strong support, which clearly suggested that Psammomitra should be placed into the order Urostylida although it branched at a rather deep level, and is likely to be closely related to Holostichidae. With consideration to molecular evidence and morphological characters, Psammomitra should be a clearly outlined taxon at about the rank of family, i.e. Psammomitridae stat. nov., within the order Urostylida. The improved diagnosis for this family is as follows: Urostylida possessing extremely contractile, elongated body which consists of three parts: head, trunk, and slender tail; midventral complex composed of midventral pairs only and restricted to about anterior 1/3 of ventral surface; frontal, frontoterminal, and transverse cirri present; one left and one right marginal rows which commence near proximal end of adoral zone and extend to near rear body end.

Morphology, morphogenesis and gene sequence of a freshwater ciliate, Pseudourostyla cristata (Ciliophora, Urostyloidea) from the ancient Lake Biwa, Japan

The urostyloid freshwater ciliate Pseudourostyla cristata was recorded for the first time from Lake Biwa, a 4-million-year-old lake located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Its morphology and morphogenesis were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation, and the SSU ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced. Based on the current observations and previous descriptions, this species is readily recognized mainly by the following characters: body slender or broadly oval to elliptical, and dark grey in color; size in vivo about 170–400×40–150 μm; pellicle flexible and contractile, with extrusomes forming a hyaline seam underneath; ciliature comprising about 60–130 adoral membranelles, usually 1 buccal cirrus, 20–24 frontal, 2 frontoterminal, 17–26 pairs of midventral, and 5–16 transverse cirri, 4–6 left and 4–5 right marginal rows, and 8–10 dorsal kineties; 15–83 macronuclear nodules and 2–9 micronuclei; freshwater habitat. The main morphogenetic developments are: (1) the oral primordium for the proter originates de novo on the dorsal wall of the buccal cavity, and the dedifferentiated undulating membranes and some parental proximal membranelles join in the primordial development; the old adoral zone will be partly replaced by new structures; (2) the oral primordium for the opisthe occurs epiapokinetally left of the midventral complex between the adoral zone and the transverse cirri; (3) the fronto-midventral transverse cirral (FVT) anlagen develop separately in both dividers by dedifferentiation of most of the midventral cirri; (4) the single buccal cirrus is generated from the posterior end of FVT anlage II; (5) the leftmost frontal cirrus is derived from the anterior end of the undulating membranes anlage (FVT anlage I); (6) the marginal rows of each side are formed from a single anlage which arises within the rightmost row; (7) the dorsal kineties develop by intrakinetal basal body proliferation; and (8) the most posterior FVT anlage contributes the two fronto-terminal cirri at its anterior end. The present observations indicate that P. cristata has a wide geographic distribution, and possesses constant morphological and morphogenetic traits. Phylogenetic trees inferred from SSU rRNA gene sequences suggest paraphyly of the genus Pseudourostyla.

The morphology and morphogenesis of a marine ciliate, Epiclintes auricularis rarisetus nov. sspec. (Ciliophora, Epiclintidae), from the Yellow Sea

The morphology and morphogenesis of a marine ciliate, Epiclintes auricularis rarisetus nov. sspec., collected from Qingdao, northern China were studied on live and protargol-impregnated specimens. This isolate can be recognized by its elongate, contractile and tripartite body with a size of 200-400×20-40 μm in vivo, about 30 ventrally located adoral membranelles, short undulating membranes, 2-3 frontal and 10-18 transverse cirri as well as 8-9 fronto-midventral rows, 22-31 left and 35-54 right marginal cirri, but no caudal cirri, invariably 3 dorsal kineties, of which kineties 1 and 3 link together anteriorly, 24-70 macronuclear nodules, marine habitat, and contribution of almost all frontal-midventral transverse cirral anlagen (FVT anlagen) to the formation of fronto-midventral rows. In its divisional morphogenesis, this species demonstrates some features rarely if ever found in any other urostyloids, e.g. partial replacement of the old adoral zone of membranelles, de novo formation of the oral primordium and the anlagen for marginal rows and dorsal kineties, contribution of almost all FVT anlagen to the transverse cirri, lack of frontoterminal cirri. In addition, its morphogenesis appears to differ in detail from that of E. auricularis auricularis nov. stat., based on published data. These remarkable morphogenetic traits of Epiclintes suggests a questionable systematic position for this genus in the Urostyloidea, therefore, further researches are urgently needed.

A redescription of the marine hypotrichous ciliate, Nothoholosticha fasciola (Kahl, 1932) nov. gen., nov. comb. (Ciliophora: Urostylida) with brief notes on its cellular reorganization and SS rRNA gene sequence

The morphology and infraciliature of the marine hypotrichous ciliate Nothoholosticha fasciola (Kahl, 1932) nov. gen., nov. comb., isolated from mariculture waters near Qingdao, China, are redescribed based on live and protargol-impregnated specimens. Features reported for the first time include the possession of more than 50 macronuclear nodules and details of the infraciliature, i.e. 50–60 adoral membranelles, shortened paroral and endoral membranes, six frontal, one buccal and two to seven transverse cirri, ca. 40 pairs of midventral cirri, ca. 60–120 left and 70–120 right marginal cirri, three dorsal kineties, caudal and frontoterminal cirri absent. In addition, brief details of two stages of cellular reorganization in N. fasciola are supplied and comparisons with some related urostylids based on SS rRNA gene sequence data are reported. The new genus Nothoholosticha is established based primarily on the absence of frontoterminal cirri, which distinctly separates it from similar urostylid genera. Anteholosticha longissima is transferred to Nothoholosticha as N. longissima (Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) nov. comb. and Holosticha antarctica is transferred to Pseudokeronopsis as P. antarctica (Wilbert and Song, 2008) nov. comb.

Morphological studies and molecular data on a new marine ciliate, Apokeronopsis sinica n. sp. (Ciliophora: Urostylida), from the South China Sea

The morphology of a new marine urostylid ciliate, Apokeronopsis sinica n. sp., collected from the Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, was investigated. Additionally, the SSrRNA gene was sequenced in order to make a comparison at molecular level. Based on both morphological and molecular data, descriptions and comparisons with its congeners are provided. Apokeronopsis sinica is characterized by: body size about 150–200 × 50–65 µm in vivo; two kinds of cortical granules; about 20 cirri in frontal area which form the non-typical bicorona; 2 frontoterminal, ca. 4 buccal and 10 transverse cirri; midventral complex consists of 21–32 pairs of cirri; on average 35 right and 30 left marginal cirri; about 50 membranelles; invariably 3 dorsal kineties. A key to the identification of the known Apokeronopsis species was suggested. The small subunit rRNA gene sequence differences between Apokeronopsis sinica and its congeners range from 1.64% to 3.72%.

Caryotricha minuta (Xu et al., 2008) nov. comb., a unique marine ciliate (Protista, Ciliophora, Spirotrichea), with phylogenetic analysis of the ambiguous genus Caryotricha inferred from the small-subunit rRNA gene sequence

A population of Kiitricha minuta Xu et al., 2008, a small kiitrichid ciliate, was isolated from a brackish water sample in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, northern China. After comparison of its morphology and infraciliature, it is believed that this morphotype should be assigned to the genus Caryotricha; hence, a new combination is suggested, Caryotricha minuta (Xu et al., 2008) nov. comb. The small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence was determined in order to elucidate the phylogenetic position of this poorly known, ambiguous genus. The organism can be clearly separated from its congener, Caryotricha convexa Kahl, 1932, by the extremely shortened ventral cirral rows in the posterior ends. Based on the data available, an improved diagnosis is given for the genus: marine Kiitrichidae with prominent buccal field; two highly developed undulating membranes; non-grouped, uniform cirral rows on both ventral and dorsal sides; enlarged transverse cirri present, which are the only differentiated cirri; marginal cirri not present; one short migratory row located posterior to buccal field; structure of dorsal kineties generally in Kiitricha pattern. The sequence of the SSU rRNA gene of C. minuta differs by 13 % from that of Kiitricha marina. Molecular phylogenetic analyses (Bayesian inference, least squares, neighbour joining, maximum parsimony) indicate that Caryotricha, together with Kiitricha, diverges at a deep level from all other spirotrichs. Its branching position is between Phacodiniidia and Licnophoridia. The results strongly support the distinct separation of the Kiitricha-Caryotricha clade, which always branches basal to the Stichotrichia-Hypotrichia-Oligotrichia-Choreotrichia assemblage. These results also confirm the previous hypothesis that the Kiitricha-Caryotricha group, long assumed to be a close relation to the euplotids, represents a taxon at subclass level within the spirotrichs.

Two New Ciliates from Hong Kong Coastal Water: Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora)

The morphology and infraciliature of Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp., isolated from the coastal water off Hong Kong, were investigated in living and stained specimens. Orthodonella sinica n. sp. is diagnosed as: a marine Orthodonella 150-310 x 40-80 microm in vivo; with a dominant beak-like projection at the anterior end; about 70 somatic kineties; 84-126 dikinetids in the synhymenium; one contractile vacuole in the posterior one-fourth of cell, near the left margin; one conspicuous dorsal suture. Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. is diagnosed as: an Apokeronopsis about 150-230 x 35-55 microm in vivo; dark-reddish blood-cell-shaped cortical granules grouped in three rows on the ventral side and two rows on the dorsal side; 23-35 cirri in the right mid-ventral rows (MVR) and 23-32 cirri in the left MVR; six to eight buccal, two frontoterminal, 30-42 left marginal, and 32-43 right marginal cirri; 21-30 transverse cirri extending anteriorly beyond the level of mid-body; consistently three dorsal kineties. The separation of A. wrighti n. sp. and its highly similar congeners Apokeronopsis crassa and Apokeronopsis bergeri was supported by comparison of their SSrRNA gene sequences.

Morphology and morphogenesis of a new marine ciliate, Apokeronopsis bergeri nov. spec. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida), from the Yellow Sea, China

The morphology and morphogenesis of a new marine hypotrich ciliate, Apokeronopsis bergeri nov. spec., collected from mussel-farming waters near Qingdao, China, are described from living and protargol-impregnated specimens. This ciliate has characteristics that place it in the family Pseudokeronopsidae, namely, two long rows of frontal cirri (bicorona), which are continuous with the long midventral rows, and a single row of marginal cirri on each side of the body. It shares with its only congener, Apokeronopsis crassa, the long rows of buccal and transverse cirri and the wide spacing between the midventral rows of cirri. These characters separate the genus Apokeronopsis from Pseudokeronopsis, which has a single buccal cirrus, fewer transverse cirri and midventral rows of cirri arranged in a typical zig-zag pattern. A. bergeri differs from A. crassa in its shape, colour and in the numbers of membranelles and transverse cirri. Although morphogenesis in A. bergeri is similar to that of A. crassa in most respects, the mode of formation of the buccal cirri is slightly different. The close relationship of A. bergeri with A. crassa, and the more distant relationship with three Pseudokeronopsis species, is supported by a comparison of the sequences of their ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA regions.

Two Newly Recorded Ciliates, Oxytricha longigranulosa and o. marina (Ciliophora: Spirotrichea: Sporadotrichida) from Korea

Two oxytrichid ciliates collected from the mosses and estuarine littoral in Korea were identified as Oxytricha longigranulosa Berger and Foissner, 1989 and O. marina Kahl, 1932. These species are reported for the first time from Korea. The description was based on living and protargol impregnated specimens. Diagnostic characters for each species are as follows. Oxytricha longigranulosa: Cell in vivo <TEX>$80-115{\times}30-50{\mu}m$</TEX>, mostly <TEX>$90{\times}40{\mu}m$</TEX>. Length/width ratio about 2.4/1. Cortical granules about <TEX>$1{\times}1.5{\mu}m$</TEX> in size, colorless, arranged in short and discontinued longitudinal rows. Four frontoventral cirri. Adoral zone of membrane lies (AZM) covering 30-50% of cell length with 25-27 adoral membranelles (AM). Buccal area flat, typical Oxytricha pattern. Five transverse cirri, 19-23 right marginal cirri, 19-24 left marginal cirri, three caudal cirri, five dorsal kineties. Two macronuclear nodules 2 in number and spherical in shape, two micronuclei in number. Oxytricha marina: Cell in vivo <TEX>$100-150{\times}30-60{\mu}m$</TEX>. Cytoplasm colorless without cortical granules. Four frontoventral cirri. AZM covering 50% of cell length with 28-44 AMs, Buccal area flat, typical Oxytricha pattern. Five transverse cirri, 23-38 right marginal cirri, 19-25 left marginal cirri, three caudal cirri, five dorsal kineties. Two macronuclear nodules and spherical in shape, 1-5 micronuclei, mostly two in number.

Kiitricha minuta n. sp., a Peculiar Hypotrichous Ciliate (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea) from the Yellow Sea

The morphology and infraciliature of a new ciliate, Kiitricha minuta n. sp., isolated from the Yellow Sea, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation. Kiitricha minuta represents a third member of the rarely known order Kiitrichida. It is unique in the subclass Hypotrichia in having many rows of small uniform cirri along the right side of the body and the dorsal kineties composed of dikinetids, most of which bear two cilia. Kiitricha minuta n. sp. is ovoid and measures about 60 x 45 microm in vivo. It has a huge buccal cavity occupying about 80% of the body length, numerous body extrusomes, one macronucleus and two micronuclei, 27-27 adoral membranelles, 9-12 frontoventral cirral rows, a submarginal row of 7-9 cirri, 6 or 7 transverse cirri, and roughly 7-9 dorsal kineties. This new species differs distinctly from its only congener Kiitricha marina by its smaller size (60 microm vs. 80-150 microm), the presence of body extrusomes (vs. absent), the different macronuclear pattern (one vs. two nodules), and the lower number of frontoventral cirral rows (9-12 vs. 21-26), which terminate at the anterior two-thirds of body (vs. extend to the posterior). The new term "submarginal cirral row" is introduced to distinguish from the marginal cirral row in typical hypotrichs sensu lato. Based on our new observations and the literature, an improved diagnosis for the genus Kiitricha is provided and its phylogenetic importance is discussed.

Cortical structure in non-dividing and dividing Diophrys japonica spec. nov. (Ciliophora, Euplotida) with notes on morphological variation

The morphology and morphogenesis of Diophrys japonica spec. nov., isolated from the Mie Port, Nagasaki, Japan, were investigated from life and following impregnation with protargol. The new species is recognized by the following characters: Body elliptical in outline and slightly greyish to yellowish in color; size in vivo about 80–120×50–70 μm; pellicle flexible, with underlying granules densely arranged in lines; ciliature comprising about 30–46 adoral membranelles, 4–7 frontal, 1–4 ventral and 4–7 transverse cirri, always 1 left marginal and 3 caudal cirri, and 4 dorsal kineties; usually two macronuclear nodules; fragment kinety with 2–5 dikinetids; marine habitat. The main morphogenetic events are: (1) the opisthe's oral primordium develops de novo in a subsurface pouch near the left transverse cirri; (2) the proter retains the parental AZM except for reorganization of some proximal membranelles; (3) cirral anlagen for the frontal, ventral and transverse cirri in both dividers develop separately from the oral primordium or parental cirri, and are derived from the separation of primary primordia that originate de novo; (4) the anlagen for the left marginal cirrus and fragment kinety also form de novo and separately; (5) dorsal kinety anlagen occur within the parental structures at mid-body and posterior end of the cell, of which the right-most one contributes three caudal cirri from its posterior portion. Based on available ontogenetic data, the author proposes that the numbers of left marginal and caudal cirri can be regarded as reliable characters for species identification, while the numbers of frontal, ventral and transverse cirri are not consistent enough for species distinction. A key to the eleven adequately known species of Diophrys is presented.

Redescription of a Poorly Known Marine Ciliate, Leptoamphisiella vermis Gruber, 1888 n. g., n. comb. (Ciliophora, Stichotrichia, Pseudoamphisiellidae), from the Yellow Sea, China

Leptoamphisiella vermisGruber, 1888 n. g., n. comb. (basionym Epiclintes vermisGruber, 1888) is an extraordinarily large and worm-like marine stichotrichous ciliate. Based on a population isolated recently from coastal waters of Qingdao, China, the living morphology and infraciliature are redescribed and its taxonomic position is defined. Accordingly, a new diagnosis for this species is suggested: large, marine Leptoamphisiella with a conspicuous layer of pellicular alveoli; 400-1000 microm x 40-70 microm in vivo; body band-like, highly flexible; about 40 membranelles; always three frontal and two buccal cirri; 52-80 transverse cirri (TC) extending to the posterior end of the buccal field; 57-79 left midventral and 44-62 right midventral cirri; 62-102 cirri in left and 63-91 cirri in right marginal rows (MR); 9-13 dorsal kineties that extend the full body length; about 100 macronuclear nodules and 5-13 micronuclei. The diagnosis for the new genus is as follows: vermiform Pseudoamphisiellidae with strongly contractile body, differentiated frontal, buccal, and highly developed TC; two remarkably separated midventral rows; one MR on each side of the body; frontoterminal and caudal cirri absent. Leptoamphisiella vermis n. comb. is fixed as the type species of the new genus.

Morphological Redescription and Neotypification of the Marine Ciliate, Amphisiella marioniGourret &amp; Roeser, 1888 (Ciliophora: Hypotrichida), a Poorly Known Form Misidentified for a Long Time

ABSTRACT. The “well‐known” marine hypotrichous ciliate, Amphisiella marioniGourret &amp; Roeser, 1888 has been repeatedly misidentified for over a century, which has led to great confusion in the species identification. Based on a population collected from mariculture water in Qingdao (Tsingtao), north China, the morphology and infraciliature were investigated using live observations and the protargol impregnation method. The Chinese population corresponds perfectly with the original description by Gourret and Roeser (1888). As the type species of Amphisiella, its morphological characteristics include: an elongated body about 90–150 μm long in vivo; with grouped cortical granules arranged in irregular rows throughout the whole body; a contractile vacuole located slightly behind mid‐body; adoral zone of membranelles slightly bipartite in structure with the anterior part ventrally located; amphisiellid median cirral row (ACR) extending to the level of the transverse cirri (TC); about eight frontal cirri left of the ACR; closely spaced marginal rows, displaced inwards, each with about 32 cirri; six TC arranged in a V‐shape; no caudal cirrus; five to six dorsal kineties; and typically two macronuclei. We conclude that the populations described by Mansfeld (1923) and Wicklow (1982), respectively, were misidentified. To clarify the taxonomic status of this species, the population from the northern Chinese coast of the Yellow Sea is designated as a neotype.

Morphogenesis in the Marine Spirotrichous Ciliate Apokeronopsis crassa (Claparède &amp; Lachmann, 1858) n. comb. (Ciliophora: Stichotrichia), with the Establishment of a New Genus, Apokeronopsis n. g., and Redefinition of the Genus Thigmokeronopsis

ABSTRACT. Morphogenetic events during the division of the marine spirotrichous ciliate, Apokeronopsis crassa (Claparède &amp; Lachmann 1858) n. comb. were investigated. Compared with members of the well‐known genera Thigmokeronopsis, Uroleptopsis, and Pseudokeronopsis, A. crassa has one row of buccal cirri, high number of transverse cirri, clearly separated midventral rows, lacks thigmotactic cirri and a gap in adoral zone, its undulating membranes (UMs) anlage forms one cirrus and marginal rows and dorsal kineties form apokinetally during division. All these characteristics indicate that this organism represents a new taxon at the generic level, and hence a new genus is suggested, Apokeronopsis n. g. It is defined as thus: Pseudokeronopsidae with Pseudokeronopsis‐like bicorona of frontal cirri and one marginal row on each side; one row of two or more buccal cirri in ordinary position; two midventral rows distinctly separated, hence of cirri that are not in a typical zig‐zag pattern; high number of transverse cirri, caudal cirri absent, and frontoterminal cirri present; thigmotactic cirri absent, many macronuclear nodules fuse into many masses as well as marginal and dorsal kineties form apokinetally during morphogenesis. At the same time, the genus ThigmokeronopsisWicklow, 1981 is redefined, and one new combination, Apokeronopsis antarctica (Petz, 1995) n. comb. is proposed. The morphogenetic events of A. crassa are characterized as follows: (1) In the proter, the adoral zone of membranelles and UMs are completely renewed by the oral primordium. The UM anlage is formed apokinetally on the dorsal wall of the buccal cavity and is hence clearly separated from the frontoventral‐transverse (FVT) cirral anlagen in the proter. (2) Frontoventral‐transverse cirral anlagen are generated de novo in the outermost region of the cortex to the right of the old UMs. (3) A row of buccal cirri arises from FVT cirral streak I. (4) The marginal rows and dorsal kineties originate de novo in both dividers; no caudal cirri are formed. (5) The last FVT‐streak contributes two frontoterminal cirri. (6) The many macronuclear nodules fuse into many masses (about 50 segments) during division, unlike a singular or branched mass as described in other urostylids.

Pseudourostyla pelotensis sp. nov. (Ciliophora, Stichotrichia, Urostylida): a new psammophilic ciliate from the southern Brazil

In samples of sand collected from the Laranjal beach, a lake shore located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we found a new urostylid species characterized as: Pseudourostyla measuring about 190 x 80 µm in vivo; body very flexible, dorsoventrally compressed in almost 2:1 proportion, with ovoid and ellipsoid colorless cortical granules and displaying a short beak-like projection oriented to the left at the anterior region of the cell. Two contractile vacuoles present. Somatic ciliature with a typical bicorona and urostylid midventral complex formed by cirral pairs, that ends below the equatorial region of the cell. Pre-transverse cirri lacking; on average two frontoterminal cirri, five left and six right marginal cirral rows, six transverse cirri and eight dorsal kineties. Adoral zone composed of about 50 membranelles. Pseudourostyla pelotensis sp. nov. differs from other congeners by the presence of an anterior beak-like projection, two contractile vacuoles instead of one, and a unique combination of other characters including extension of the midventral complex, number of adoral membranelles and of macronuclear nodules.

Morphology and Cell Division of Saudithrix terricola n. gen., n. sp., a Large, Stichotrich Ciliate from Saudi Arabia

The morphology and main ontogenetic traits of a new stichotrich ciliate, Saudithrix terricola Foissner, AL-Rasheid and Berger n. gen., n. sp., from a terrestrial habitat in Saudi Arabia were investigated using live observation, protargol impregnation, and scanning electron microscopy. Saudithrix terricola is characterized by a large (200-350 x 70-150 microm), flexible body; an adoral zone formed like a three-quarter circle; a sickle-shaped buccal lip with a widened paroral forming a cyrtohymenid pattern with the endoral; 11 frontal and frontal-ventral cirral rows (including right marginal rows) and one left marginal row covering the ventral side; two buccal cirri; six to nine transverse cirri; three dorsal kineties; and two macronuclear nodules. The resting cyst is about 85 microm across, has a smooth wall, and a fluffy mucous layer. Most cirral anlagen originate within the parental rows and are arranged side by side, the proximal portion of the adoral zone of membranelles is reorganized, and some parental dorsal bristles are maintained. Neither the morphological nor the ontogenetic data reveal the systematic position of Saudithrix within the stichotrichs. The term multicorona is introduced and describes a frontal ciliature composed of four or more cirral bows.

A new investigation of the marine ciliate, Trachelostyla pediculiformis (Cohn, 1866) Borror, 1972 (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida), with establishment of a new genus, Spirotrachelostyla nov. gen.

The morphology and infraciliature of the type species of the ciliate genus Trachelostyla, T. pediculiformis (Cohn, 1866) Borror, 1972, collected from the Bohai Sea near Tianjin, north China, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation. The Chinese population corresponds well with the original description, as follows: size about 80–150×20–30 μm in vivo; body dorsoventrally flattened and non-spiral; outline elongate, with anterior region conspicuously narrowed while posterior not; on average 14 macronuclear nodules, two micronuclei and 42 adoral membranelles; 16–24 cirri in left and 21–31 in right marginal row. In total 18 frontoventral-transverse cirri: constantly 11 cirri in frontal area and two ventral ones together with five enlarged transverse cirri (TC). Three inconspicuous caudal cirri (CC); six dorsal kineties with prominent cilia. The literature on T. pediculiformis is critically reviewed, showing that the descriptions so far do not agree very well. To clarify the taxonomic status of this species, the population from the Chinese coast of the Bohai Sea is designated as a neotype. The small subunit rRNA gene was sequenced for the neotype and the molecular phylogenetic tree basically supports the establishment of the family Trachelostylidae Small & Lynn, 1985. Based on the data obtained, the genus Trachelostyla Borror, 1972 is redefined thus: dorsoventrally flattened trachelostylids, body non-spirally twisted and elongate, with peristomal region conspicuously narrowed; ciliature generally in 11:2:5:3 pattern, i.e. 11 cirri in frontal region, two ventral cirri located anterior to five TC, three CC present; one left and one right row of marginal cirri not confluent posteriorly. A new genus Spirotrachelostyla nov. gen. is proposed to include the taxa which were previously assigned to Trachelostyla but characterized by spirally twisted, spindle-like body shape and a variable number of cirri in the peristomal area. Three new combinations are suggested: Spirotrachelostyla spiralis (Dragesco & Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) nov. comb. [basionym: Trachelostyla spiralis Dragesco & Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986], S. tani (Hu & Song, 2002) nov. comb. [basionym: T. tani Hu & Song, 2002] and S. simplex (Kahl, 1932) nov. comb. [basionym: Stichotricha simplex Kahl, 1932].