Heterotrophic amoebae,flagellates and heliozoa from Arctic marine waters (North West Territories,Canada and West Greenland)

Summary Thirty eight taxa of heterotrophic protists (amoebae, flagellates and heliozoa) were encountered in cultures established from marine samples from Disko Bay (West Greenland) and Foxe Basin (N.W.T. Canada). Most species are flagellates representing the choanoflagellates, the euglenids, the kinetoplastids, the bicosoecids, the chrysomonads, the pedinellids and a variety of taxa of uncertain affinities (Protista incertae sedis). A new species of thecate choanoflagellate, Salpingoeca intermedia sp. nov., is described, and 4 new types of triangular scales, representing the genus Thaumatomastix Lauterborn, 1899, are presented.     

Flagellates and heliozoans in the Greenland Sea ice studied alive using light microscopy

The occurrence of flagellates and heliozoans in the Greenland Sea was determined from freshly collected samples and crude cultures established during the expedition ARK XI/2 onboard RV “Polarstern” in autumn 1995. The live material was collected from the water column, new ice, and multi-year ice floes, and examined with light (interference and phase contrast) and epifluorescence microscopy. Photographic and video techniques were utilised for the documentation. The observed general morphology of the cells, swimming motions, feeding behaviour and modes of reproduction assisted in the identification of flagellates. A total of 57 photo- and heterotrophic flagellate taxa, representing cryptophytes, dinoflagellates, haptophytes, chrysophytes, Prasinophyceae, chlorophytes, euglenids, choanoflagellates, kinetoplastids, protists of unknown affinity (Protista incertae sedis), and heliozoans, were found. Diatoms were excluded from this study. Newly forming ice, ice floes and cultures established from the ice samples contained almost twice as many identified flagellate taxa as the water column. In addition to general information on the community structure of flagellates and heliozoans, the light microscopical methods used here provided information on the need for additional microscopy, establishment of cultures, and the suitability of the material for experimental work. Received: 20 June 1996 / Accepted: 1 October 1996     

Further observations on flagellates within sea ice in northern Bothnian Bay, the Baltic Sea

To improve our knowledge of flagellates inhabiting the Baltic Sea ice and water column during the winter, material was obtained from northern Bothnian Bay in March/April 1995. Light microscopical observations on live and fixed material and further transmission electron microscopy of whole mounts revealed 47 nanoflagellate taxa. In addition, detached scales of eight taxa were encountered. It is now evident that nearly all nanoflagellate classes are present within Bothnian Bay sea ice. The most common groups were cryptomonads, dinoflagellates, chrysophytes, prasinophytes, choanoflagellates and heterotrophic flagellates of unknown systematic position (Protista incertae sedis). Most flagellates in Baltic Sea ice biota apparently thrive in both the water column and the sea ice, while some, e.g. Paraphysomonas spp. (Chrysophyceae), heterotrophic euglenids, volvocalean chlorophytes, and some taxa of uncertain systematic affinity, are more frequently found within the sea ice. Received: 9 February 1997 / Accepted: 23 September 1997     

Revision of the Family Spironemidae Doflein (Protista, Hemimastigophora), With Description of Two New Species, Spironema Terricola N. Sp. and Stereonema Geiseri N, G., N. Sp.

ABSTRACT. Two new hemimastigophoran flagellates are described using light and electron microscopy, and the family Spironemidae is revised. Spironema terricola n. sp. occurs in soil from the Grand Canyon (southwest USA). It moves in a conspicuously euglenoid manner and differs from S. multiciliatum Klebs by its vermiform shape and shorter kinetics. Spironema terricola is similar to Goodey's Spironema multiciliatum from soil in England. However, Goodey's vermiform species has a very elongate nucleus and is thus neither identical with S. terricola , which has a roundish nucleus, nor with Klebs' lanceolate S. multiciliatum ; we consider it a new species, Spironema goodeyi n. sp, Stereonema geiseri n. g., n. sp. was discovered in the Aufwuchs (periphyton) of a river in Bavaria, Germany. the new genus differs from Spironema by its a contractility, and from Hemimastix by its shorter kinetics and less plicate cortex. the fine structure of Spironema and Stereonema is very similar to that of Hemimastix Foissner et al., viz., the cortex is composed of two plates having diagonal symmetry and the flagellated basal bodies have associated a short and a long microtubular ribbon. All species have unique extrusomes of the same type. the main differences between the three genera and five species recognized are contractility, length of kinetics, body size, shape of cell and nucleus, and particulars of the cortex and extrusomes. the phylogenetic relationships of the Hemimastigophora are still uncertain. However, the diagonal symmetry of the cortical plates and the pronounced euglenoid movement of Spironema spp. suggest a common ancestor with euglenids.     

A revision of the genus Halectinosoma (Harpacticoida: Ectinosomatidae): a reappraisal of H. sarsi (Boeck) and related species

Ectinosomatid material was examined from extensive collections around the British Isles and from several additional world localities and museum collections, permitting a revision of the genus Halectinosoma. This paper describes 12 morphologically similar species and erects five new species. H. sarsi (Boeck) is regarded as species incertae sedis, while H. sarsi sensu Sars (1904) is redescribed as H. pseudosarsi sp. nov.; H. sarsi sensu T. & A. Scott (1894) is synonymized with H. canaliculatum (Por). H. propinquum is regarded as a junior subjective synonym of H. chrystalli (T. Scott). H. clavatum (Sars) is resurrected, having previously been regarded as a synonym of H. brunneum (Brady). A key for the identification of females belonging to this group of species is provided.     

Morphology and Infraciliature of Trochiliopsis australis N. Sp., Pelagohalteria viridis (Fromentel, 1876) N. G., N. Comb., and Strobilidium lacustris N. Sp. (Protozoa,Ciliophora)1

Three ciliate species from Australia and Norway were examined by silver impregnation, biometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Trochiliopsis australis n. sp. (order Nassulida, family Microthoracidae) differs from the single other known species of the genus, T. opaca, by its prominent ridges on the left side, the distinctly longer anterior segment of somatic kinety 2, and by the doubled total number of kinetosomes. Pelagohalteria n. g. (order Oligotrichida, family Halteriidae) differs from Halteria by the structure of the bristle complexes, which are composed of a vertically and a horizontally oriented row of kinetosomes. Two Halteria species belong to the new genus: P. viridis (Fromentel, 1876) n. comb., which is redescribed here, and P. cirrifera (Kahl, 1935) n. comb. Strobilidium lacustris n. sp. (order Oligotrichida, family Strobilidiidae) differs from its nearest relative, S. velox, by the smooth pellicle, the absence of symbiotic green algae, and by its larger size.     

Phylogeny of novel naked Filose and Reticulose Cercozoa: Granofilosea cl. n. and Proteomyxidea revised

Naked filose and reticulose protozoa were long lumped as proteomyxids or left outside higher groups. We cultivated eight naked filose or reticulose strains, did light microscopy, 18S rDNA sequencing and phylogeny (showing all are Cercozoa), and sequenced 80 environmental 18S-types. Filose species belong in subphylum Filosa and reticulose ones in subphylum Endomyxa, making proteomyxids polyphyletic. We therefore transfer the classically mainly reticulose Proteomyxidea to Endomyxa, removing evident filosans as new class Granofilosea (including Desmothoracida, Acinetactis and new heliomonad family Heliomorphidae (new genus Heliomorpha (=Dimorpha)). Five new species of Limnofila gen. n. (L. mylnikovi; L. anglica; L. longa; L. oxoniensis; L. borokensis, previously misidentified as Biomyxa (=Gymnophrys) cometa) form a large freshwater clade (new order Limnofilida). Mesofila limnetica gen., sp. n. and Nanofila marina gen., sp. n. group separately in Granofilosea (Cryptofilida ord. n.). In Endomyxa, a new genus of reticulose proteomyxids (Filoreta marina, F. japonica, F. turcica spp. n., F. (=Corallomyxa) tenera comb. n.) forms a clade (Reticulosida) related to Gromiidea/Ascetosporea. Platyreta germanica gen., sp. n. and Arachnula impatiens are related vampyrellids (Aconchulinida) within a large clade beside Phytomyxea. Biomyxidae and Rhizoplasmidae fam. n. remain incertae sedis within Proteomyxidea. Gymnophrydium and Borkovia are revised. The reticulose Corallomyxa are unlike Filoreta and possibly Amoebozoa, not Cercozoa.     

Free-living marine Rhabdocoela (Platyhelminthes) from the N. American Pacific coast. With remarks on species from other areas

From the N. American Pacific coast the following taxa are described: Coronopharynx pusillus Luther, Pogaina bicornk sp.n., P. paranygulgus sp.n. (Provorticidae); Brinkmanniella palmata sp.n., Tvaerminnea karlingi pucifica subsp.n. (Promesostomidae); Trigonostomum setigerum O. Schmidt, Messoplana pacifica sp.n., Ceratopera axi (Riedl), C. ehlersi sp.n., C. pilifera sp.n. (Trigonostomidae); Polycystis ali Schockaert, P. hamata sp.n. (Polycystididae). From other areas: Brinkmanniella palmata from the Skagerrak, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea; Ceratopera axi from the Falkland Islands; Polycystis ali from Galapagos Islands; Ceratopera bermudensis sp.n. from Bermuda. Polycystis ali is considered to be a polytypic species with the forms 'Somali', 'California' and 'Galapagos'. Brinkmanniella augusti Marcus and B. falklandica Westblad are considered to be species incertae sedis. Problems in penetrating the world-wide marine turbellarian fauna are discussed.     

Pelagic flagellate populations in the southern North Sea, 1988-89. I. Qualitative observations

During the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) NorthSea Community Programme 1987–1992, pelagic flagellatepopulations in the southern North Sea were examined during theperiod 1988–89. Not less than 84 species of flagellateswere found, of which 73 could be identified down to genus orspecies level using light or scanning electron microscopy: 52dinoflagel lates, six cryptomonads, five green flagellates,four prymnesiomonads, two chrysomonads, one euglenid, one silicoflagellate,one bodonid and one flagellate incertae sedis. In addition,there were not less than six unidentified species of flagellatesincertae sedis, two small (<15 µm) unidentified nakeddinoflagellates, one unidentified cryptomonad, one unidentifiedcoccolithophorid, and unspecified numbers of unidentified speciesof choanoflagellates. There were 44 phototrophs (of which eightwere mixotrophic or possibly so), 35 heterotrophs, and fiveflagellates whose mode of nutrition is unknown. A total of 12flagellates were found in all of the areas investigated, whileanother nine were found in one area only. Areas 9 (German coastalwater near Helgoland) and 1 (Anglian coastal mixed water) werethe most and least species rich, respectively. Observationson size-diversity relationships suggested that the highest diversityof flagellates occurred close to the lower limits of the sizeranges. Some interesting or rarely reported flagellates aredescribed.     

TWO NEW PARROTS (PSITTACIFORMES) FROM THE LOWER EOCENE FUR FORMATION OF DENMARK

Abstract:  Two new fossil psittaciform birds from the Lower Eocene 'Mo Clay' (Fur Formation) of Denmark ( c . 54 Ma) are described. An unnamed specimen is assigned to the extinct avian family of stem-group parrots, Pseudasturidae (genus and species incertae sedis ), while a second ( Mopsitta tanta gen. et sp. nov.) is the largest fossil parrot yet known. Both specimens are the first fossil records of these birds from Denmark. Although the phylogenetic position of Mopsitta is unclear (it is classified as family incertae sedis ), this form is phylogenetically closer to Recent Pstittacidae than to other known Palaeogene psittaciforms and may, therefore, represent the oldest known crown-group parrot.     

An examination of the Phascolosotna subgenera Antillesoma, Rueppellisoma and Satonus (Sipuncula)

Three of the subgenera in the sipunculan genus Phascolosoma are reviewed, based on examination of type material. The presumed difference between the subgenera Antillesoma and Rueppellisoma (number of retractor muscles) is shown to be invalid and the taxa are therefore synonymous. The 15 species are either considered junior synonyms of P. antillarum (eight), transferred to other species or genera (six), or considered incertae sedis (one). Phascolosoma antillarum is redescribed. Of the eight species in the subgenus Satonus, only P. pectinatum remains valid: the others are considered either to belong to other taxa (four) or to be incertae sedis (three).     

The African species of Theganopteryx (Blattaria, Ectobiidae)

Abstract Twenty-one species of the genus Theganopteryx are known from Africa and the genus is probably confined to this continent. A key is provided to the males of twenty species, and eight new species are described: affinis Shelford; bivitatta Princis; bredoi sp.n.; camerunensis Shelford; dimorpha Princis; fantastica Shelford; flavescens sp.n.; heterogamia Princis; ituriensis Rehn; kivuensis sp.n.; lucidu Brunner; nitida Borg; notata Shelford; obscura Shelford; propinqua sp.n.; remotevittata (Werner); rhodesiae Shelford; shabaenis sp.n.; shelfordi sp.n.; simillima sp.n.; villiersi sp.n. Notes are given on eighteen further species of doubtful identity which have hitherto been included in Theganopteiyx , and one of these, perspicillaris Karny, is transferred to a new genus Theganosilpha .     

Insights into the phylogenetic and taxonomy of philasterid ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia) based on analyses of multiple molecular markers

Scuticociliates are a rich assemblage of species with mostly unresolved phylogenetic relationships, especially in the order Philasterida. In the present work, 48 new sequences for three linked genes are characterized and phylogenetic trees are constructed to assess the inter- and intra-generic relationships of philasterids. Results reveal the following: (1) the combined three-gene tree provides more resolution in nodes than in the SSU-rDNA topologies; (2) the family Orchitophryidae is non-monophyletic as it is split into two parts and Paranophrys magna, Metanophrys sp. and Metanophrys sinensis are designated incertae sedis at the familial level; (3) Uronematidae is non-monophyletic and Homalogastra setosa is designated incertae sedis; (4) Parauronematidae becomes a junior synonym of Uronematidae and the clade containing A. haemophila, Miamiensis avidus, and Glauconema trihymene might stand for a new family; (5) Parauronema being a junior synonym of Uronema is supported and P. longum should be removed from the genus Parauronema; (6) Uronema is not monophyletic and molecular analyses reveal that Uronema sp. QD shares a more recent common ancestor with Uronemella species than with other Uronema species; (7) Metanophrys is polyphyletic; (8) multiple samples of two highly controversial species, viz., Mesanophrys pugettensis and M. chesapeakensis have identical ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequence and we propose they should be synonymous with M. carcini, and (9) there may be cryptic species in M. carcini and M. avidus.     

On some Cuban species of the genus Longior Travassos & Kloss, 1958 (Oxyurida, Hystrignathidae), with description of a new species

Longior zayasi Coy, García & Alvarez, 1993 is established as incertae sedis because the males (declared as the holotype) are inconsistent with the generic diagnosis, particularly in relation to the morphology of the head and tail. Thus, the females of Longior zayasi species (which agree with the generic diagnosis) are renamed and re-described as Longior longior Morffe & García sp. n. We also described males found in the sample and considered as conspecific with the new species. A comparative table with the measurements of the most of the records of Longior longior is given. The male of Longior similis Morffe, García & Ventosa, 2009 is described from the type locality of the species and compared with the known males of the genus. A key to the females of the Cuban Longior is given.     

Systematics and taphonomy of an Early Kimmeridgian belemnite fauna from the Mediterranean Tethys (Monte Nerone, Central Apennines, Italy)

About three hundred belemnite rostra were collected from lower Kimmeridgian beds of a structural high sequence cropping out at Mt. Nerone (Central Apennines, Pesaro Province, Italy). The belemnite fauna is composed mainly of new species. Nine species were recognised, ascribed to five genera, that include Hibolithes semisulcatus M?NSTER, 1830; H. pignattii nov. sp.; Acutibelus sp. cf. acuariformis RIEGRAF, 1981; Belemnopsis neronensis nov. sp., Duvalia matteuccii nov. sp., D. nicosiai nov. sp., D. pallinii nov. sp., D. raymondi nov. sp. and Rhopaloteuthis massimoi nov. sp.; moreover a single specimen is treated in open nomenclature as Belemnopseidae incertae sedis. The stratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic significance of the new fauna is discussed. The taphonomy of the belemnite-rich level is described, with reference to borings found on the belemnite rostra.