Esquamula lacrimiformis n. g., n. sp., a New Member of Thaumatomonads that Lacks Siliceous Scales

We report a new naked cercozoan flagellate, Esquamula lacrimiformis n. g., n. sp., collected from a sandy beach in Japan. Its cells were 4.5–11.3 μm in length and 3.9–8.8 μm in width and possess two unequal flagella. Cells move in a smooth gliding motion and have a trailing long posterior flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses with small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes revealed that E. lacrimiformis forms a novel lineage within the Thaumatomonadida, the members of which are flagellates with siliceous scales. However, our light and electron microscopic observations indicated that E. lacrimiformis cells do not possess any siliceous structures. Furthermore, other morphological characteristics, such as the shape of the extrusomes and the structural arrangement of the microbody, were clearly different from those of previously described thaumatomonads. On the basis of a combination of these morphological observations and our phylogenetic analyses, we conclude that E. lacrimiformis should be treated as a new species of a new genus and placed into a new family, Esquamulidae n. fam., under Thaumatomonadida.     

Paranoplocephala aquatica n. sp. (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) from Arvicola terrestris and Ondatra zibethica (Rodentia), with redescriptions and comments on related species

Paranoplocephala aquatica n. sp. is described from Arvicola terrestris and Ondatra zibethica (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Bulgaria. The new species is characterised by a band-like strobila, a uterus forming a fine reticulate structure in the early stages of development, numerous testes (approximately 92) situated mainly aporally to the ovary in both the median and the aporal lateral fields, few testes positioned anterior to the ovary and genital ducts, the prominent asymmetrical situation of the female organs, the length of the vagina c. 0.65–0.68 of the length of the cirrus-sac, and the external seminal vesicle covered by a cellular sleeve. The new species is distinguished from P. ondatrae, P. macrocephala, P. dasymidis and P. sciuri. The specimens from O. zibethica reported as P. ondatrae by Tenora & Murai (1980) and as Aprostatandrya macrocephala by Spasskii et al. (1951) are believed to belong to P. aquatica. The type-series of P. ondatrae and P. macrocephala are redescribed and figured; metric data and an illustration of the holotype of P. sciuri are presented. The genus Paranoplocephala sensu Tenora et al. (1986) is regarded as a heterogeneous group because of the two patterns of uterine development in the species studied. Taxonomic criteria used for distinguishing the genera Andrya and Paranoplocephala, and some criteria applicable at the species level, are discussed.     

Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, sp. n., a New Species of the Budding Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria

A succinate-mineral salts medium of pH 5.2 provided selective enrichment conditions for Rhodomicrobium vannielii and for a new species belonging to the Athiorhodaceae, described herein as Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. Seven strains of the new species have been isolated from different sources in the United States and Germany. The cells are rod-shaped or ovoid, 1.0 to 1.3 μm wide and 2 to 5 μm long, and motile by means of polar flagella. Multiplication occurs by budding. The photopigments consist of bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series, together with new carotenoids. All strains can grow either under anaerobic conditions in the light or under microaerophilic to aerobic conditions in the dark. No growth factors are required. The range of simple organic substrates photo-assimilated resembles that characteristic of Rhodomicrobium. Good photolithotrophic growth is possible at the expense of molecular hydrogen; thiosulfate and sulfide are not utilized.     

Rhodospirillum tenue sp. n., a New Species of the Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria

Rhodospirillum tenue sp. n. differs from the rhodospirilla described so far by its small size, ultrastructure, and physiological and biochemical characteristics.     

Paramecium sonneborni n. sp., a New Member of the Paramecium aurelia Species-Complex1

ABSTRACT. From an intermittent stream in College Station, Texas, a Paramecium was isolated that did not appear to belong to any recognized species. On the basis of nuclear and whole-body morphology, it can be assigned to the Paramecium aurelia species-complex, and it can be distinguished from other members of that complex on the basis of mating-type reactivity and isoenzyme patterns. These characteristics are felt sufficient to justify a new species assignment. The new species has been named Paramecium sonneborni n. sp. in honor of the late Dr. Tracy M. Sonneborn of Indiana University.     

Saccharomycomorpha psychra n. g., n. sp., a Novel Member of Glissmonadida (Cercozoa) Isolated from Arctic and Antarctica

A novel genus and species within the order Glissmonadida (Cercozoa, Rhizaria), Saccharomycomorpha psychra n. g., n. sp., is described from lichen in the Ny-Ålesund region (High Arctic) and moss in the Fildes peninsula of King George Island (Maritime Antarctica). Cells were spherical and did not appear to present flagella in organic-rich Potato Dextrose Agar medium where they were able to feed osmotrophically. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that Saccharomycomorpha psychra belong to “clade T” within the order Glissmonadida (Cercozoa, Rhizaria). All three investigated strains could grow at 4 °C and had an optimum growth temperature of 12 °C, 20 °C, and 20 °C, while a maximum growth temperature of 20 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C, respectively. In conclusion, we established the phenotypic identity of “clade T,” which until now was exclusively detected by environmental sequences, and erect a new family Saccharomycomorphidae for “clade T.” Nomenclatural, morphological and ecological aspects of this novel species are discussed.     

Primary structure of hemoglobins of the musk rat (Ondatra zibethica, Rodentia)

The amino-acid sequence for the hemoglobin of the musk-rat (Ondatra zibethica) was determined. The sequence of both chains was established by automatic Edman-Begg degradation of the tryptic peptides and, in the case of the beta-chains additionally of the prolyl-peptide. The complete primary structure of the alpha-chains differs at 22, that of the beta-chains at 36 positions from the adult human hemoglobin. There are no changes in the heme-binding residues, the alpha 1--beta 2 contact positions and the allosteric regulator sites. In the heme-pocket we found beta 44 Ser leads to His and 8 positions changed within the alpha 1--beta 1 contact regions. These changes are discussed with respect to the function of the respective regions.     

Brooklynella hostilis n. g., n. sp., a Pathogenic Cyrtophorine Ciliate in Marine Fishes*

SYNOPSIS. Brooklynella hostilis is a new genus and new species of highly lethal Chilodonella-like parasite in the gills of marine fishes. It differs from other dysteriid ciliates by a combination of these features: 1) posterior-ventral adhesive apparatus consisting of a single glandular organelle that lacks a distinct discharging canal or podite; 2) the kinetosomes cover the entire ventral surface, except the left posterior portion of the body; the outer right kinety is divided into 2 segments; the middle postoral kinetyues as a row of kinetosomes without cilia around the glandular organelle; 3) there are never more than 9 nematodesmata; and 4), there are numerous small micronuclei. The lesions caused by the infection vary from a mild inflammatory reaction to extreme tissue damage resulting in severe hemorrhages, desquamation, and fusion of the gill lamellae.     

Blepharisma seculum, sp. nov., a Member of the Subgenus (Compactum)

SYNOPSIS. Blepharisma seculum sp. nov. is described as a small-sized blepharisma with a compact, spheroid macronucleus and a distinct curvature of the body anteriorly. A comparison of this form with other species of the genus Blepharisma subgenus ( Compactum ) is given.     

Eremotyle affixa,n. gen., n. sp., eine neue Protococcale (Chlorophycee)

Ohne ZusammenfassungDie Veröffentlichung dieser Untersuchungen fällt zusammen mit der Feier des 70. Geburtstages Prof. Dr.Franz Ruttners. Der Verf. möchte nicht versäumen, mit seinem Glückwunsch dem Jubilar auch seinen herzlichsten Dank auszusprechen: hat er ihm doch zuerst als Student, später als junger Dozent, endlich als Kollege vielerlei Arten von Belehrung, Anregung und Förderung zu verdanken. Mögen diese Zeilen der Erinnerung an manche gemeinsam verlebte Stunden gewidmet sein!     

Basipodella harpacticola n.gen., n. sp. (Crustacea,Copepoda)

Several stages of the copepodBasipodella harpacticola n. gen., n. sp., which lives as a parasite on harpacticoid copepods, are described on the basis of four individuals obtained from the Peruvian deep-sea. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed.     

Two amphistomes,Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp., from the Australian turtle Elseya dentata (Gray)

Summary Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. (family and subfamily uncertain) and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp. (family Paramphistomidae, subfamily Dadaytrematinae?), from the intestine of the freshwater turtle Elseya dentata (Gray) in Queensland, Australia, are described. Lobatodiscus has a large lobed acetabulum, small oral diverticula which do not protrude out of the oral sucker, two pairs of lymph vessels and no oesophageal bulb. Elseyatrema has a small acetabulum, large protruding oral diverticula, an oesophageal bulb, juxtaposed testes, one pair of rudimentary lymph vessels and no cirrus-sac. ac]19830626     

Proleptonchoides southindiae n. gen., n. sp., a New Leptonchoid from South India

Proleptonchoides southindiae n. gen., n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Leptonchidae), is described from soil around false tobacco (Lobelia excelsa) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomurn) in South India. P. southindiae is prodelphic, has a short constricted esophageal bulb and flanged odontophore, and is phylogenetically close to Proleptonchus.     

Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), a Novel Highly Pathogenic Entomopathogenic Nematode Member of Rhabditidae

A novel entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. RG081015, collected from Rugao, China, is described. The new species is morphologically very similar to H. chongmingensis but can be distinguished from it on the basis of some morphological characteristics, combined with molecular data and a cross-hybridization test. Males of the new species can be recognized on the basis of body length averaging 1396.2 μm; lateral field with one ridge; metastome isoglottoid with one hemispherical swellings comprised of two to three well-developed warts; asymmetric spicules; peloderan bursa. In IJs, EP = 134.5 μm; ES = 149.3 μm; tail length = 82.5 μm; and a = 20.5. Hermaphroditic females have four to five lateral ridges. The 18S rDNA and ITS sequences of the two nematodes share 99% and 98% identity, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of 18S rDNA and ITS indicate that the new species is most closely related to H. chongmingensis; thus, the two nematodes belong to the same genus. Failure of cross-hybridization between them indicates that nematode strain RG081015 is a novel species and is described herein as H. rugaoensis n. sp. The LC₅₀ of the novel species against Galleria mellonella were 24.35 IJs / ml within 48 hours of infection. Morphological characteristics, genetic similarity analyses, and phylogenetic relationships provide strong evidence that some species of Oscheius/Insectivora-group should be reassigned to the genus Heterorhabditidoides.     

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Two New Marine Euplotids,Pseudodiophrys nigricans n. g., n. sp., and Paradiophrys zhangi n. sp. (Ciliophora: Euplotida)

ABSTRACT. The morphology, infraciliature, and molecular phylogeny of Pseudodiophrys nigricans n. g., n. sp., and Paradiophrys zhangi n. sp., isolated from a sandy beach near Qingdao, China, were investigated. Pseudodiophrys is characterized by the Diophrys‐like ciliature pattern, but having only a single, reduced undulating membrane. Pseudodiophrys nigricans, the type species by monotypy, is described from live and silver‐impregnated specimens. Paradiophrys zhangi is similar to the type species Paradiophrys irmgard but can be recognized by its border body and the number (7 vs. 8–10) and arrangement (in rows vs. sparsely distributed) of the frontoventral cirri. Small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence data support the validity of both species. Phylogenetic analyses based on the SSU rRNA gene sequence data currently available for uronychiids and other related taxa indicate that P. nigricans is most closely related to Diophrys scutum and Diophrys apoligothrix, while P. zhangi clusters most closely with Apodiophrys ovalis within a clade that also includes two other Paradiophrys species.     

Coccidia (Eimeria tachyglossi n. sp., E. echidnae n. sp., and Octosporella hystrix n. sp.) in the Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae)

Oocysts of Octosporella hystrix n. sp., Eimeria tachyglossi n. sp., and E. echidnae n. sp. are described from the feces of the echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae) from Australia. Eimeria tachyglossi has subspherical oocysts, 26.4 × 23.7 μm in size, with a single oocyst wall; no micropyle; four ellipsoidal sporocysts 13.2 × 9.7, slightly pointed at one end, each containing two sporozoites. Eimeria echidnae has subspherical oocysts, 19.4 × 17.8 in size, with a single oocyst wall; no micropyle; four ellipsoidal sporocysts 9.8 × 7.8, blunt at both ends, each containing two sporozoites. Octosporella hystrix has ovoid or subspherical oocysts 32.9 × 29.7 in size with a thick outer and thin inner oocyst wall; no micropyle; eight sporocysts spherical or slightly subspherical 11.3 × 11.2 each containing two sporozoites lying in embrace, with an extensive granular sporocyst residuum about the equator of the sporocyst. Endogenous stages considered to be of E. tachyglossi at least, were recognized in the lamina propria and epithelium on villi in the small intestine of three echidnas.     

Molecular Phylogeny and Ontogeny of a New Ciliate Genus,Paracladotricha salina n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotrichia)

A hypotrichous ciliate, Paracladotricha salina n. g., n. sp., was discovered in hypersaline waters (salinity about 80‰) from Qingdao, China. Its morphology and some major ontogenetic stages were studied and the phylogenetic position was estimated using standard methods. Paracladotricha salina is characterized by a flexible, more or less slender body (size 50–120 × 20–35 μm), a gonostomatid oral apparatus, one short and two long frontoventral rows, four macronuclear nodules, almost completely reduced dorsal kineties 1–3, and a loss of several parts of the ciliature, namely, the slightly shortened ciliary row of the adoral membranelles, the paroral, and the buccal, the postoral and pretransverse ventral, the transverse, and the caudal cirri. The ontogenesis is rather simple: anlage II of both filial products and anlage III of the opisthe originate de novo, while anlagen IV and V are formed within the parental rows. This combination of features requires the establishment of a new genus, Paracladotricha, which is, according to the morphological data, closely related to Schmidingerothrix and Cladotricha. The small‐subunit rRNA gene was sequenced, indicating that P. salina is, as also demonstrated by the oral apparatus, a member of the gonostomatids. We provide a first, vague hypothesis about the phylogenetic relationships of the Gonostomatidae, Cladotrichidae, and Schmidingerotrichidae. However, since molecular data of the type species of these higher taxa are lacking, their validity and relationships remain obscure.