An ultrastructural and molecular study of Tubulinosema kingi Kramer (Microsporidia: Tubulinosematidae) from Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and its parasitoid Asobara tabida (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Tubulinosema kingi is a pathogen of Drosophila spp. that was originally described 40 years ago. Although Drosophila melanogaster is widely used as a model organism for biological research, only limited data about microsporidia infecting Drosophila have been published so far and very little is known about the ultrastructure of T. kingi. In this study, we present the results of ultrastructural and molecular examinations of T. kingi. The whole life cycle took place in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm and all examined life cycle stages contained a diplokaryon. Very few membrane elements were present in early merogonial stages, but their number and order of arrangement increased as the life cycle proceeded. The cell membrane of meronts had a surface coat of tubular elements that encircled the cell. Later, numerous electron-dense strands without any ornamentation accumulated on the plasma membrane, indicating that cells had entered sporogony. The cell membrane of sporonts was covered by electron-dense material. The polar filament in the spores was slightly anisofilar with the last three or four coils being smaller in diameter. The polar filament has 10 to 14 coils which were arranged predominantly in a single row, but in many spores, one winding of the coiled polar filament was located inside the outer coils. In some spores, the polar filament was irregularly arranged in two or even three rows. Molecular analysis showed that all Tubulinosema spp. are closely related and form a clade of their own that is distinct from the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade. All these ultrastructural and molecular features are in concordance with the family Tubulinosematidae and the genus Tubulinosema which reinforces the recent reclassification of this microsporidium.     

An analysis of the microsporidian genus Brachiola, with comparisons of human and insect isolates of Brachiola algerae

The genus Brachiola is the newest microsporidian genus established for a human infection with the type species being B. vesicularum in skeletal muscle. Subsequently, the microsporidium, Nosema algerae, identified from mosquitoes, was added to this genus because of morphological and physiological similarities. The present report illustrates a confirmed case of Brachiola algerae infecting skeletal muscle in a 56-year-old woman who was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with immunosuppressive drugs. In the following study, these two human-infecting microsporidian species are ultrastructurally compared from human biopsy tissue. Additionally, Brachiola algerae from mosquitoes as reference B. algerae, was grown in athymic mice and compared to the human isolate in vivo, and in culture. B. algerae is morphologically identical in the host situations presented and different from B. vesicularum in human skeletal muscle. B. algerae has a consistently, slightly longer spore that typically contains one row of polar filament coils, while B. vesicularum typically contains two rows of polar filament coils and occasionally, one or three rows. In proliferative development, B. vesicularum forms protoplasmic extensions which do not occur on B. algerae, nor have they been reported on any other microsporidium. This report demonstrates that B. vesicularum and B. algerae are two different species of Brachiola that infect human skeletal muscle.     

Brachiola vesicularum, N. G., N. Sp., a New Microsporidium Associated with AIDS and Myositis

Brachiola vesicularum, n. g., n. sp., is a new microsporidium associated with AIDS and myositis. Biopsied muscle tissue, examined by light and electron microscopy, revealed the presence of organisms developing in direct contact with muscle cell cytoplasm and fibers. No other tissue types were infected. All parasite stages contain diplokaryotic nuclei and all cell division is by binary fission. Sporogony is disporoblastic, producing 2.9 times 2 μm diplokaryotic spores containing 8-10 coils of the polar filament arranged in one to three rows, usually two. Additionally, this microsporidium produces electron-dense extracellular secretions and vesiculotubular appendages similar to Nosema algerae. However, the production of protoplasmic extensions which may branch and terminate in extensive vesiculotubular structures is unique to this parasite. Additionally, unlike Nosema algerae , its development occurred at warm blooded host temperature (37-38° C) and unlike Nosema connori , which disseminates to all tissue types, B. vesicularum infected only muscle cells. Thus, a new genus and species is proposed. Because of the similarities with the genus Nosema , this new genus is placed in the family Nosematidae. Successful clearing of this infection (both clinically and histologically) resulted from treatment with albendazole and itraconozole.     

Sinaspidoneura magnifica nov. gen., nov. sp., first Chinese Caloneurodea (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera)

We describe the first Chinese Caloneurodea, Sinaspidoneura magnifica nov. gen., nov. sp., from the middle Permian Yinping Formation. This new genus and species belongs to the small family Aspidoneuridae, previously known from two genera and species, one from the latest Carboniferous of France and another from the late early Permian of North America. This discovery shows that this order was more widespread during the middle Permian than previously supposed, under a great variety of palaeoclimates. This clade is still unknown in the late Permian, and possibly became extinct because of the crisis of biodiversity that happened at the end of the middle Permian.     

MLSA barcoding of Marichromatium spp. and reclassification of Marichromatium fluminis (Sucharita et al., 2010) as Phaeochromatium fluminis gen. nov. comb. nov

Thirty-one members of the genus Marichromatium were analysed based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four concatenated protein-coding genes (fusA, pufM, dnaK, recA) along with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS; 16S-23S rRNA) region and 16S rRNA gene. The restriction patterns obtained from the in silico analysis of the concatenated sequences were good barcodes for the identification of Marichromatium spp. Distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular differences allowed the separation of Marichromatium fluminis JA418(T) into a new genus in the family Chromatiaceae, for which we propose the name Phaeochromatium fluminis gen. nov. comb. nov.     

Planomonadida ord. nov. (Apusozoa): ultrastructural affinity with Micronuclearia podoventralis and deep divergences within Planomonas gen. nov

Gliding zooflagellates previously misidentified as Ancyromonas sigmoides, Metopion or Heteromita constitute a new genus Planomonas. Three new Planomonas species (marine P. micra and P. mylnikovi: freshwater P. limna) have extremely divergent 18S rRNA and subtly but consistently different light microscopic morphology, distinguishable from P. (=Ancyromonas) melba comb. nov. and P. (=Bodo) cephalopora comb. nov. Ultrastructurally, P. micra and P. mylnikovi have a sub-plasma membrane dense pellicular layer (except in the ventral feeding pocket whose rim is supported by microtubules), kinetocysts, and flat mitochondrial cristae. Centrioles, connected at approximately 80 degrees by short fibres, have a dense amorphous distal plate below a double axosome and four microtubular roots. Microbody, mitochondrion, and dictyosomes associate with the nucleus. Longitudinal cytokinesis is slow and peculiar; ciliary transformation is from anterior to posterior as in other bikonts. Planomonads, like the non-flagellate Micronuclearia (here grouped with planomonads as Hilomonadea cl. nov.), have an indistinguishable single dense pellicular layer, not a double layer like apusomonads (comprising emended class Thecomonadea, phylum Apusozoa). We also sequenced 18S rDNA for Planomonas howeae sp. nov. and Micronuclearia podoventralis, plus actin genes of P. micra, Micronuclearia, Amastigmonas marina. All were analysed phylogenetically; the Planomonas clade is ancient, diverse and robust: it sometimes groups weakly as sister to Micronuclearia.     

Subulatomonas tetraspora nov. gen. nov. sp. is a member of a previously unrecognized major clade of eukaryotes

While a large number of aerobic free-living protists have been described within the last decade, the number of new anaerobic or microaerophilic microbial eukaryotic taxa has lagged behind. Here we describe a microaerophilic genus and species of amoeboflagellate isolated from a near-shore marine site off the coast at Plymouth, Massachusetts: Subulatomonas tetraspora nov. gen. nov. sp. This taxon is closely related to Breviata anathema based on both microscopical features and phylogenetic analyses of sequences of three genes: SSU-rDNA, actin, and alpha-tubulin. However, Subulatomonas tetraspora nov. gen. nov. sp. and B. anathema are morphologically distinctive, differ by 14.9% at their SSU-rDNA locus, and were isolated from marine and 'slightly brackish' environments, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of these two taxa plus closely related sequences from environmental surveys provide support for a novel clade of eukaryotes that is distinct from the major clades including the Opisthokonta, Excavata, Amoebozoa and 'SAR' (Stramenopile, Alveolate, Rhizaria).     

New anamorphic yeast species: Candida infanticola sp. nov., Candida polysorbophila sp. nov., Candida transvaalensis sp. nov. and Trigonopsis californica sp. nov

Three new species of Candida and a new species of Trigonopsis are described based on their recognition from phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences from large subunit ribosomal RNA, ITS1/ITS2 rRNA, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA and cytochrome oxidase II. Candida infanticola sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17858, CBS 7922) was isolated from the ear of an infant in Germany and is closely related to Candida sorbophila. Candida polysorbophila sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27161, CBS 7317) is a member of the Zygoascus clade and was isolated in South Africa as a contaminant from an emulsion of white oil and polysorbate. Candida transvaalensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27140, CBS 6663) was obtained from forest litter, the Transvaal, South Africa, and forms an isolated clade with Candida santjacobensis. Trigonopsis californica sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27307, CBS 10351) represents a contaminant from wine in California, and forms a well-supported clade with Trigonopsis cantarellii, Trigonopsis variabilis and Trigonopsis vinaria.     

Phylogenetic characterization of Legionella-like endosymbiotic X-bacteria in Amoeba proteus: a proposal for 'Candidatus Legionella jeonii' sp. nov

The X-bacteria which initiated organismic association with the D strain of Amoeba proteus in 1966 as parasites have changed to obligate endosymbionts on which the host depends for survival. Owing to the difficulty in cultivating the bacteria in vitro, the identity of X-bacteria has not been determined. As the life cycle of X-bacteria is similar to that of Legionella spp. in soil amoebae, we applied the polymerase chain reaction method with specific primers aimed at Legionella spp. for the detection and cloning of 16S rRNA gene. The identity and intracellular localization of the endosymbiont were confirmed by the application of a specific fluorescently labelled 16S rRNA-targeted probe. In addition we cloned RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) of X-bacteria by genomic library tagging. A phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene placed the bacterium within a unique monophyletic group containing all other members of the genus Legionella. Phylogeny from rpoB and mip genes further confirmed the taxonomic context of X-bacteria to be a Legionella sp. In all three phylogenic analyses, X-bacterium was placed apart from Legionella-like amoebal pathogens present in soil amoebae. Thus, we propose the name 'Candidatus Legionella jeonii' sp. nov. for the endosymbiotic X-bacteria in Amoeba proteus.     

Revision of Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Wolinella taxonomy: emendation of generic descriptions and proposal of Arcobacter gen. nov.

Hybridization experiments were carried out between DNAs from more than 70 strains of Campylobacter spp. and related taxa and either 3H-labeled 23S rRNAs from reference strains belonging to Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter sputorum, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter nitrofigilis, an unnamed Campylobacter sp. strain, and a Wolinella succinogenes strain or 3H- or 14C-labeled 23S rRNAs from 13 gram-negative reference strains. An immunotyping analysis of 130 antigens versus 34 antisera of campylobacters and related taxa was also performed. We found that all of the named campylobacters and related taxa belong to the same phylogenetic group, which we name rRNA superfamily VI and which is far removed from the gram-negative bacteria allocated to the five rRNA superfamilies sensu De Ley. There is a high degree of heterogeneity within this rRNA superfamily. Organisms belonging to rRNA superfamily VI should be reclassified in several genera. We propose that the emended genus Campylobacter should be limited to Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter hyointestinalis, Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter mucosalis, Campylobacter sputorum, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, and "Campylobacter upsaliensis." Wolinella curva and Wolinella recta are transferred to the genus Campylobacter as Campylobacter curvus comb. nov. and Campylobacter rectus comb. nov., respectively. Bacteroides gracilis and Bacteroides ureolyticus are generically misnamed and are closely related to the genus Campylobacter. Campylobacter nitrofigilis, Campylobacter cryaerophila, and an unnamed Campylobacter sp. strain constitute a new genus, for which the name Arcobacter is proposed; this genus contains two species, Arcobacter nitrofigilis comb. nov. (type species) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus comb. nov. Wolinella succinogenes so far is the only species of the genus Wolinella. The genus Helicobacter is also emended; Campylobacter cinaedi and Campylobacter fennelliae are included in this genus as Helicobacter cinaedi comb. nov. and Helicobacter fennelliae comb. nov., respectively. The genus "Flexispira," with "Flexispira rappini" as the only species, is closely related to the genus Helicobacter. The free-living, sulfur-reducing campylobacters do not belong to any of these genera; they probably constitute a distinct genus within rRNA superfamily VI.     

Azumiobodo hoyamushi gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Euglenozoa, Kinetoplastea, Neobodonida): a pathogenic kinetoplastid causing the soft tunic syndrome in ascidian aquaculture

We used morphological and genetic analyses to investigate a pathogenic kinetoplastid isolated from a diseased edible ascidian Halocynthia roretzi with soft tunic syndrome. The morphological characteristics of the kinetoplastid are similar to those in the order Neobodonida in the subclass Metakinetoplastida. However, the presence of unique globular bodies distinguishes this kinetoplastid from the other polykinetoplastic genera (i.e. Cruzella, Dimastigella and Rhynchobodo) in this order. These globular bodies are cytoplasmic inclusions without an outer delimiting membrane and are composed of a homologous granular matrix containing electron-dense bands. A phylogenetic tree based on 18S rRNA gene sequences also indicated that the kinetoplastid belongs to the order Neobodonida, although it forms an independent clade in this order. From these results, we propose a new genus in the order Neobodonida, i.e. Azumiobodo gen. nov., and Azumiobodo hoyamushi as the type species for the genus.     

Testudodinium gen. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new genus of sand‐dwelling dinoflagellates formerly classified in the genus Amphidinium

A new genus of sand‐dwelling photosynthetic dinoflagellate, Testudodinium Horiguchi, Tamura, Katsumata et A. Yamaguchi is proposed based on Testudodinium testudo (Herdman) Horiguchi, Tamura, Katsumata, et A. Yamaguchi comb. nov. (Basionym: Amphidinium testudo Herdman) and a new species in this new genus, Testudodinium maedaense Katsumata et Horiguchi sp. nov. is described. Amphidinium corrugatum is also transferred to this genus, making a new combination T. corrugatum (Larsen et Patterson) Horiguchi, Tamura et A. Yamaguchi. These three species are similar to the members of the genus Amphidinium in having an extremely small episome and a dorsoventrally flattened cell body. They are, however, distinguished from the genus Amphidinium seusu stricto by the possession of a distinct longitudinal furrow in the middle of ventral side of the episome. Phylogenetic trees based on small subunit (SSU) rDNA revealed that all three of these Testudodinium species formed a robust clade and, although statistical support is not high, the tree suggests Testudodinium clade is not closely related to Amphidinium seusu stricto clade. The morphological differences together with molecular data support the establishment of a new genus for A. testudo and its related species.     

Nosema chrysorrhoeae n. sp. (Microsporidia), isolated from browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) in Bulgaria: characterization and phylogenetic relationships

A new microsporidian parasite Nosema chrysorrhoeae n. sp., isolated in Bulgaria from the browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.), is described. Its life cycle includes two sequential developmental cycles that are similar to the general developmental cycles of the Nosema-like microsporidia and are indistinguishable from those of two Nosema spp. from Lymantria dispar. The primary cycle takes place in the midgut tissues and produces binucleate primary spores. The secondary developmental cycle takes place exclusively in the silk glands and produces binucleate environmental spores. N. chrysorrhoeae is specific to the browntail moth. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ssu rRNA gene sequence places N. chrysorrhoeae in the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, with the microsporidia from lymantriid and hymenopteran hosts. Partial sequences of the lsu rRNA gene and ITS of related species Nosema kovacevici (Purrini K., Weiser J., 1975. Natürliche Feinde des Goldafters, Euproctis chrysorrhoea L., im Gebiet von Kosovo, FSR Jugoslawien. Anzeiger fuer Sch?dlingskunde, Pflanzen-Umweltschutz, 48, 11-12), Nosema serbica Weiser, 1963 and Nosema sp. from Lymantria monacha was obtained and compared with N. chrysorrhoeae. The molecular data indicate the necessity of future taxonomic reevaluation of the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Alysiella and related genera of Neisseriaceae: proposal of Alysiella crassa comb. nov., Conchiformibium steedae gen. nov., comb. nov., Conchiformibium kuhniae sp. nov. and Bergeriella denitrificans gen. nov., comb. nov

A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences reveals that Alysiella filiformis belongs to the family Neisseriaceae. The genus Simonsiella is phylogenetically separated by the genera Kingella and Neisseria. The species Simonsiella crassa and A. filiformis show a close phylogenetic relationship, with the 16S rDNA sequence similarity and the DNA-DNA hybridization representing 98.7% and 35%, respectively. Therefore, S. crassa should be transferred from the genus Simonsiella to the genus Alysiella as Alysiella crassa comb. nov. Simonsiella steedae and Simonsiella sp. of cat origin show strong genetic affinities and are distantly related with the type species of Simonsiella, S. mulleri. Thus, a new genus, Conchiformibium is proposed; Conchiformibium steedae comb. nov. and Conchiformibium kuhniae sp. nov. are accommodated in this new genus. On the basis of the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinction from the genus Neisseria, N. denitrificans should be reclassified, for which a new genus and new combination Bergeriella denitrificans are proposed.     

Dermaphis coccidiformis sp. nov. (Hemiptera), an aphid species with asymmetrically sclerotized apterae and “winter alates”

Dermaphis coccidiformis sp. nov. (Hormaphidinae: Nipponaphidini) is described from Japan. Apterous adults of the species were found between winter buds (or between a winter bud and a leaf petiole) of the evergreen oaks Quercus glauca, Q. myrsinifolia and Q. salicina. Their morphology is peculiar in that their tergites are heavily sclerotized only in the part that seems to have been exposed to sunlight. The new species is also peculiar in that nymphs to be alates (sexuparae) were found on the upper surfaces of leaves of the host oak only during winter, from December to March or early April, before the bud break of the oak. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that the new species is closely related to Dermaphis spp., therefore it was placed in the genus. The analysis incidentally indicated that “Dinipponaphis” autumna, a monoecious species forming galls on Distylium racemosum, was included in the clade of the genus Dermaphis, and therefore it was transferred to this genus.     

Multigene phylogenetic analysis of the Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus yeast clades, and the proposal of Sugiyamaella gen. nov. and 14 new species combinations

Relationships among species assigned to the ascosporic yeast genera Sporopachydermia, Stephanoascus, Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus, and to the associated anamorphic genera Arxula, Blastobotrys, Sympodiomyces and Trigonopsis, were determined from phylogenetic analyses of gene sequences from the nearly complete large-subunit rRNA gene, the mitochondrial small-subunit rRNA gene, and cytochrome oxidase II. The genus Stephanoascus is polyphyletic, resulting in reassignment of two species to the older genus Trichomonascus and the third to Sugiyamaella gen. nov. (type species Sugiyamaella smithiae). The genera Sporopachydermia, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus appear to be monophyletic. The species Pichia ofunaensis and P. tannicola are proposed for transfer to Zygoascus. Arxula, Blastobotrys and Sympodiomyces are members of the Trichomonascus clade, with the genus Blastobotrys having taxonomic priority for anamorphic states. Trigonopsis variabilis and three species of Candida represent a distinct clade. From the foregoing gene sequence analyses, the new ascosporic genus Sugiyamaella is proposed, as are 14 new species combinations and the new family Trichomonascaceae.     

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Chlamydomonas (Chlorophyta). I. Emendation of Chlamydomonas Ehrenberg and Chloromonas Gobi, and description of Oogamochlamys gen. nov. and Lobochlamys gen. nov

The genus Chlamydomonas (including Chloromonas) is one of the largest green algal genera comprising more than 600 species. To initiate a comprehensive analysis of the phylogeny and systematics of the genus, we determined nuclear-encoded SSU rRNA sequences from 32 strains of Chlamydomonas, Chloromonas and Chlorogonium with emphasis on oogamous taxa and related strains, and incorporated these into global molecular phylogenetic analyses of 132 strains of Chlorophyceae. In addition, we studied the morphology and reproduction of oogamous and related strains by light microscopy. We recognize and designate 18 monophyletic lineages (clades) within the Chlorophyceae, 11 of which are confined to the CW (basal bodies displaced clockwise) subgroup. The majority of clades recognized within the Chlorophyceae do not correspond to any of the traditional classification systems, which are still largely based on the organization level. Strains assigned to Chlamydomonas and Chloromonas were found in seven different clades confirming the polyphyly of the two genera as presently conceived. To initiate the taxonomic revision of Chlamydomonas, C. reinhardtii is proposed as the conserved type of the genus. In consequence, species in clades other than the clade containing C. reinhardtii must be transferred to other genera, a process initiated in this contribution. The oogamous strains studied represent a monophyletic lineage, which is described as Oogamochlamys gen. nov. comprising three species (O. gigantea, O. zimbabwiensis and O. ettlii spec. nov.). The sister clade to Oogamochlamys consists of isogamous strains characterized by chloroplasts with incisions and is described as Lobochlamys gen. nov. with two species (L. culleus and L. segnis). Another clade is characterized by asteroid or perforated, parietal chloroplasts and contains the type species of Chloromonas (C. reticulata). Thus, the polyphyletic Chloromonas (traditionally defined as “Chlamydomonas without pyrenoids”) can be legitimized as a monophyletic genus by restriction to this clade and is here emended on the basis of chloroplast characters (the clade contains strains with or without pyrenoids thus rejecting the character “absence of pyrenoids”).     

Lentisphaera araneosa gen. nov., sp. nov, a transparent exopolymer producing marine bacterium, and the description of a novel bacterial phylum, Lentisphaerae

Two phylogenetically distinct marine strains producing transparent exopolymers (TEP), designated HTCC2155(T) and HTCC2160, were cultivated from Oregon coast seawater by dilution to extinction in a high throughput culturing format. When cultured in low-nutrient seawater media, these strains copiously produced Alcian Blue-stainable viscous TEP. Growing cells were attached to each other by the TEP in a three dimensional network. Polymerase chain reaction employing 16S rDNA primers specific for the novel isolates indicated that they are indigenous to the water column of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The abundance of the isolates as determined by 16S rRNA dot blots, however, indicated that they are less than 1% of the total bacterial community. In phylogenetic analyses, the strains consistently formed a new phylum-level lineage within the domain Bacteria, together with members of the candidate phylum VadinBE97, which consists of Victivallis, the first cultured genus in the candidate phylum, and 16S rRNA gene clones from DNA extracted from marine or anaerobic terrestrial habitats. Five putative subgroups were delineated within this phylum-level lineage, including a marine group and an anaerobic group. The isolates are Gram negative, strictly aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, and facultatively oligotrophic sphere-shaped bacteria. The DNA G+C content of strain HTCC2155(T) was 48.3 mol% and the genome size was 2.9 mb. It is proposed from these observations that the strains be placed into a new genus and a new species named Lentisphaera araneosa (type strain HTCC2155(T) = ATCC BAA-859(T) = KCTC 12141(T)) gen. nov., sp. nov., the cultured marine representative of the Lentisphaerae phyl. nov., and the phylum be divided into two novel orders named the Lentisphaerales ord. nov. and the Victivallales ord. nov.     

Agolohymena aspidocauda nov. gen., nov. spec., a histophagous freshwater tetrahymenid ciliate in the family Deltopylidae (Ciliophora,Hymenostomatia), from Idaho (northwest U.S.A.): Morphology,ontogenesis and molecular phylogeny

Morphology, ontogeny and the molecular phylogeny of Agolohymena aspidocauda nov. gen., nov. spec., a new freshwater tetrahymenid ciliate from Idaho, U.S.A, are described. The ontogeny and histophagous mode of nutrition are similar to those of Deltopylum rhabdoides Fauré-Fremiet and Mugard, 1946. The new genus is placed with Deltopylum in the resurrected family Deltopylidae Song and Wilbert, 1989. We emend the diagnostic features of the family to include division by polytomy, right and left somatic kineties extending into the preoral suture, crook-shaped or sigmoid adoral membranelles 1 and 2, markedly reduced adoral membranelle 3 and a tetrahymenid silverline pattern. The main diagnostic features of the new genus are a disc-shaped caudal ciliary array and formation of two types of resting cysts, one smooth and the other bearing tangled tubular or cylindrical lepidosomes. Nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences place the new genus basal within the order Tetrahymenida, well separated from members of the family Tetrahymenidae (Lambornella and Tetrahymena) and also from other tetrahymenids (Colpidium, Dexiostoma, Glaucoma). The genetic divergences between this species and other genera in Tetrahymenida are large enough to suggest placement of the new genus in a separate family. This corroborates the morphological data, since the elaborate caudal ciliary array and the lepidosome-covered resting cyst of this species are not found in other Tetrahymenidae.     

Characterization of Euplotes lynni nov. spec., E. indica nov. spec. and description of E. aediculatus and E. woodruffi (Ciliophora,Euplotidae) using an integrative approach

Four species belonging to the genus Euplotes have been investigated, namely: E. lynni nov. spec., E. indica nov. spec., E. aediculatus, and E. woodruffi. All populations are from India and were investigated using morphological and molecular markers. The phylogenetic relationships were inferred from small subunit ribosomal rRNA gene (SSU rRNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Predicted secondary structure models for two new species using the hypervariable region of the SSU rRNA gene and ITS2 region support the distinctness of both species. Morphological characters were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and genetic variations were studied in-depth to analyze the relatedness of the two new species with their congeners. An integrative approach combining morphological features, molecular analysis, and ecological characteristics was carried out to understand the phylogenetic position of the reported species within the different clades of the genus Euplotes.