Morphology of Bromeliophrya quadristicha n. spec., an Inhabitant of Tank Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae), and Phylogeny of the Bromeliophryidae (Ciliophora,Tetrahymenida)

Using morphological, morphometric, and molecular methods, we describe Bromeliophrya quadristicha n. spec. from tank bromeliads of Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The new species differs from the single congener, B. brasiliensis, mainly in having four (vs. 2) left lateral kinetofragments, 23 (vs. 32) ciliary rows, and a short (vs. long and C‐shaped) adoral membranelle 3. Both the morphological and molecular phylogenies show Bromeliophrya and Glaucomides as sister group of the Glaucomidae. Thus, they should have the same (family) rank.     

Functional Ecology of the Ciliate Glaucomides bromelicola,and Comparison with the Sympatric Species Bromeliothrix metopoides

We investigated the ecology and life strategy of Glaucomides bromelicola (family Bromeliophryidae), a very common ciliate in the reservoirs (tanks) of bromeliads, assessing its response to food quality and quantity and pH. Further, we conducted competition experiments with the frequently coexisting species Bromeliothrix metopoides (family Colpodidae). In contrast to B. metopoides and many other colpodean ciliates, G. bromelicola does not form resting cysts, which jeopardizes this ciliate when its small aquatic habitats dry out. Both species form bactivorous microstomes and flagellate‐feeding macrostomes. However, only G. bromelicola has a low feeding threshold and is able to adapt to different protist food. The higher affinity to the local bacterial and flagellate food renders it the superior competitor relative to B. metopoides. Continuous encystment and excystment of the latter may enable stable coexistence of both species in their natural habitat. Both are tolerant to a wide range of pH (4–9). These ciliates appear to be limited to tank bromeliads because they either lack resting cysts and vectors for long distance dispersal (G. bromelicola) and/or have highly specific food requirements (primarily B. metopoides).     

Morphology and ontogenesis of Platyophrya bromelicola nov. spec., a new macrostome-forming colpodid (Protists,Ciliophora) from tank bromeliads of Jamaica

Platyophrya bromelicola nov. spec. was discovered in tanks of bromeliads from Jamaica. Its morphology, ontogenesis, and small-subunit rDNA were studied using standard methods. Platyophrya bromelicola differs from its congeners mainly by the pyriform, unflattened body (vs. reniform and flattened); the free-swimming (planktonic) habit (vs. biofilm creepers); and the unique ability to form two distinct morphs, i.e., small, bacteriophagous microstomes and large, predaceous macrostomes. Microstomes and macrostomes can be distinguished not only by body size and feeding preferences but also by the postoral pseudomembrane composed of two vs. three to four dikinetids per kinety. The ability to form macrostomes is considered as an adaptation to the highly competitive habitat. Ontogenesis closely resembles that of other members of the family. Platyophrya bromelicola is distinct not only morphologically but also genetically (3.7% in the small-subunit rDNA) from P. vorax, a common, cosmopolitan moss and soil species.     

Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), a New Species from Antarctic Soil

A new soil ciliate, Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp., from King George Island, Antarctica, is described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and its 18S rRNA gene. The new genus Pseudonotohymena is morphologically similar to the genus Notohymena Blatterer and Foissner 1988 in the following characteristics: 18 fronto‐ventral‐transverse cirri, a flexible body, undulating membranes, dorsomarginal kineties, and the number of cirri in the marginal rows. However, Pseudonotohymena differs from Notohymena particularly in the dorsal ciliature, that is, in possessing a nonfragmented dorsal kinety (vs. fragmented). In addition, the molecular phylogenetic relationship of the new species differs from that of Notohymena species. On the basis of the morphological features, the genetic data, and morphogenesis, we establish P. antarctica n. g., n. sp. In addition, the cyst morphology of this species is described.     

Two New Diophrys‐Like Genera and Their Type Species,Apodiophrys ovalis n. g., n. sp. and Heterodiophrys zhui n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora: Euplotida), with Notes on Their Molecular Phylogeny

ABSTRACT. Based on both morphological and molecular information, two new euplotid genera Apodiophrys n. g. and Heterodiophrys n. g. are described in the present paper. Apodiophrys n. g. is defined as sculptured Diophryinae with bipartite adoral zone; frontoventral cirri arranged in Diophrys‐pattern; marginal cirri located in two clearly separated groups. Heterodiophrys n. g. is recognizable by the combination of Diophrys‐like frontoventral cirri and the unique structure of several marginal cirri that are arranged in a long row. The type species for both new genera, Apodiophrys ovalis n. sp. and Heterodiophrys zhui n. sp., collected from southern China sea, are described. The small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences for both new taxa are determined. Phylogenetic analyses based on these data indicate that Apodiophrys is most closely related to Paradiophrys, which then clusters with Uronychia species. Thus, Apodiophrys–Paradiophrys is separated from other typical Diophrys‐like genera in the SSU rRNA gene trees. The new genus Heterodiophrys is basal to the sister group of Diophrys–Diophryopsis, hence belongs to the “core”Diophrys‐complex.     

A new anhydrobiotic midge from Malawi,Polypedilum pembai sp.n. (Diptera: Chironomidae), closely related to the desiccation tolerant midge,Polypedilum vanderplanki Hinton

The sleeping chironomid (Polypedilum vanderplanki Hinton) lives on temporary rock pools in the semi‐arid tropical regions of Africa. Its larvae are able to survive the dry season in a completely desiccated ametabolic state known as anhydrobiosis. So far, P. vanderplanki was the only species among all insects showing demonstrated anhydrobiotic ability. Here, we show that a new related species originating from Malawi, Polypedilum pembai sp.n. , is also anhydrobiotic and that its desiccation tolerance mechanism is probably similar to what is observed in P. vanderplanki. The new species, P. pembai sp.n. , is described with special attention to the common and different morphological features, compared with P. vanderplanki. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both species are closely related, suggesting that anhydrobiosis evolved only once in their common ancestor about 49 Ma somewhere in Africa, before the divergence of two species, one in the sub‐Saharan area and another in southeastern Africa.     

Morphology,morphogenesis, and molecular phylogeny of a new freshwater ciliate,Gonostomum jangbogoensis n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), from Victoria Land,Antarctica

In a study on ciliate diversity, we discovered the new hypotrich species, Gonostomum jangbogoensis n. sp., in freshwater from Terra Nova Bay, Victoria Land, southeast Antarctica. We describe its morphology and morphogenesis using standard methods, and the SSU rRNA gene phylogeny is provided as well. Morphology of Gonostomum jangbogoensis n. sp. is characterized as follows: slender to elongated body shape; grayish under low magnification; cortical granules present; 32–41 adoral membranelles; 3 enlarged frontal cirri; 1 buccal cirrus; 2 frontoterminal cirri; 3 or 4 frontoventral cirral pairs, 2 pretransverse cirri, 6–7 transverse cirri; 13–19 left and 18–26 right marginal cirri; 17–23 paroral kinetids; 3 dorsal kineties; 3 caudal cirri; 2 macronuclear nodules with 1–3 micronuclei. The morphogenesis of the new species confirms that it has at least seven frontal-ventral-transverse cirral anlagen, which is also reported in Gonostomum sp. 1 sensu Shin from Korea. Even though these two populations occur very far from each other, the morphometric data prove that this character state, the seven cirral anlagen, is a stable feature across these populations and might be an apomorphy. The phylogenetic analyses show that the genus Gonostomum is non-monophyletic and that the new species is a sister to G. bromelicola.     

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.     

A new genus and species of Baetidae from Sri Lanka (Ceylon): Indocloeon primum gen.n., sp.n. (Insecta,Ephemeroptera)

The nymph of a new genus and species, Indocloeon primum gen.n., sp.n. from Sri Lanka is described, distinguishing characteristics are illustrated. This new genus is most closely related to Cloeon Leach and Centroptilum Eaton. Indocloeon gen.n. possesses a unique combination of morphological characters and two derived characters.     

Allopodocotyle skoliorchis n. sp. (Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae) from Parequula melbournensis (Castelnau) (Gerreidae), a temperate marine fish in Australian waters

A new species of Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of Parequula melbournensis (Gerreidae) caught from the waters off South and Western Australia. The new species is distinguished from other species by its larger eggs, broader form, pre-bifurcal genital pore and a number of other measurable features that are discussed. Of the species that share morphological similarities with Allopodocotyle skoliorchis n. sp., it is the only species known from a gerreid; all the other species are from serranids.     

Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of a New Freshwater Hymenostomatid from Northeastern China,with the Establishment of a New Genus Anteglaucoma gen. n. (Protista,Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea)

The morphology, infraciliature and SSU rDNA sequence of a new freshwater hymenostomatid ciliate, Anteglaucoma harbinensis gen. nov., spec. nov., collected from a farmland pond in Harbin, China, were investigated. The new genus Anteglaucoma is characterized as follows: small to medium‐sized Glaucomidae with oral apparatus in anterior one‐third of cell; paroral membrane composed of almost longitudinally arranged dikinetids; three adoral membranelles nearly equal in length and arranged almost longitudinally in parallel; silverline pattern tetrahymenid. The improved diagnosis of family Glaucomidae Corliss 1971 is provided based on the previous and present work. The type species Anteglaucoma harbinensis spec. nov. is defined by having 32–35 somatic kineties; four or five postoral kineties; membranelle 1 and membranelle 2 having five or six kinetosomal rows, membranelle 3 having three kinetosomal rows; single macronuclear nodule; contractile vacuole on average 15% from posterior body end; locomotion characterized by crawling with a rather hectic jerking motion; freshwater habitat. Phylogenetic analyses show that Anteglaucoma clusters in the family Glaucomidae and groups with the genera Glaucoma. The molecular and morphological data indicate that Glaucomidae is related to the family Bromeliophryidae in the phylogenetic trees.     

Molecular Phylogenetic Positions and Ultrastructure of Marine Gregarines (Apicomplexa) Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp. and Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe from Western Pacific scaleworms (Polynoidae)

Marine gregarines are unicellular parasites of invertebrates commonly found infecting the intestine and coelomic spaces of their hosts. Situated at the base of the apicomplexan tree, marine gregarines offer an opportunity to explore the earliest stages of apicomplexan evolution. Classification of marine gregarines is often based on the morphological traits of the conspicuous feeding stages (trophozoites) in combination with host affiliation and molecular phylogenetic data. Morphological characters of other life stages such as the spore are also used to inform taxonomy when such stages can be found. The reconstruction of gregarine evolutionary history is challenging, due to high levels of intraspecific variation of morphological characters combined with relatively few traits that are taxonomically unambiguous. The current study combined morphological data with a phylogenetic analysis of small subunit rDNA sequences to describe and establish a new genus and species (Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp.) of marine gregarine isolated from the intestine of a polynoid host (Lepidonotus helotypus) collected from Hokkaido, Japan. This new species possesses a set of unusual morphological traits including a spiked attachment apparatus and sits on a long branch on the molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, this study establishes a molecular phylogenetic position for Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe, a previously described marine gregarine, and reveals a new group of gregarines that infect polynoid hosts.     

A new psychodid species from Saban tank bromeliads

A new species of Neotropical Psychodidae, Alepia apexalba sp. nov., is described from dry-forest tank bromeliads in Saba, Netherlands Antilles. Larvae, pupae and adults are described and figured. It is possible to relate larvae and adults because the latter were reared from pupae collected from the bromeliads (Tillandsia utriculata) that also contained larvae. Bromeliads are adapted to intercept canopy litter and throughfall water, and decaying litter is washed into and retained by the leaf bases. It is from this aquatic habitat that the larvae and pupae were collected.     

Lipiniella prima sp.nov. (Diptera,Chironomidae), larva and karyotype

The karyological and morphological features of the new speciesL. prima sp.nov. are described.L. prima has a 2n=8, three chromosome pairs are metacentric, the other is an acrocentric.L. prima has a high level of chromosomal polymorphism. There are distinct morphological features allowing to identify the larva ofL. prima.     

Zelandoperla maungatuaensis sp. n. (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae), a new flightless stonefly species from Otago,New Zealand

ABSTRACT

A new wing-reduced species of the stonefly genus Zelandoperla Tillyard is described from Otago, New Zealand. Zelandoperla maungatuaensis sp. n. differs from a related species, Z. denticulata, primarily by lacking full wing development. We used morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence to assess the proposed status of Z. maungatuaensis sp. n. and Z. denticulata as separate monomorphic species, as opposed to conspecific members of a polymorphic species. High genetic divergence was found between distinctly allopatric populations, supporting the status of Z. maungatuaensis sp. n. as a distinct monomorphic species.     

Paracuaria hispanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Acuariidae), a stomach parasite of the pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus Geoffr. (Insectivora: Talpidae), with a redefinition of the genus Paracuaria Rao, 1951

Adult and fourth-stage larvae of Paracuaria hispanica n. sp., from the stomach of the Pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus Geoffroy (Insectivora: Talpidae) in northern and central Spain, are described. The new species differs from the other members of the genus Paracuaria (P. adunca and P. soricis), among other morphological details, in its smaller body and spicule sizes, the presence of a cuticular ring around the tip of the female tail, and the existence of lateral alae running longitudinally along its body from the cervical region to the tail. In view of the latter feature, the genus Paracuaria is redefined. The fourth stage larva of the new species is distinguished from that of P. adunca by its monocuspid deirids. P. hispanica occurred in 45% of the 20 host specimens examined.     

Periacineta mexicana n. sp. (Ciliophora,Suctoria, Discophryida), Epizoic on Mexican Backswimmers of the Genus Buenoa (Insecta,Hemiptera, Notonectidae)

ABSTRACT. A new species of suctorian in the genus Periacineta, epibiotic on aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nepomorpha), is described on the basis of morphological characteristics of the cell body, lorica, tentacular placement, and stalk, and its 18S rRNA partial sequence gene. Periacineta mexicana n. sp. is a loricate suctorian with elongate body and rounded apical region; tentacles are distributed randomly over apical region and not grouped into fascicles. Macronucleus in adult is elongate and located centrally. The suctorian usually forms closely aggregated pseudocolonies. We provide morphological data based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. A comparison with similar congeners, and emended diagnosis of the genus Periacineta also are provided. The ciliates were found attached to the first two pairs of legs of Mexican notonectids Buenoa pallens and Buenoa spp. (backswimmers).     

Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp. (Amorphea,Amoebozoa)

A new species of Cochliopodium isolated from freshwater at Arabia Lake in Lithonia, GA, USA is described based on light microscopic morphology, fine structure, and molecular genetic evidence. Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp., previously labeled as “isolate Con1” in prior publications, has been shown to group within the genus Cochliopodium in our molecular phylogenetic analysis. Light microscopy and fine structure evidence indicates the new isolate not only shares characters of the genus but also unique distinctive features. Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp. is typically round when stationary; or oval to sometimes broadly flabellate or triangular in shape during locomotion, with average length of 35 μm and breadth of 51 μm. Fine structure evidence indicates C. arabianum n. sp. has tower‐like scales, lacking a terminal spine, sharing high similarity with its closest relative C. actinophorum. However, the scales of C. arabianum n. sp. are unique in height and the breadth of the base plate. Both morphological and molecular data, including SSU‐rDNA and COI, indicate that this new species falls in a clade sufficiently different from other species to suggest that it is a valid new species.     

Characterization of Tulamoeba bucina n. sp., an Extremely Halotolerant Amoeboflagellate Heterolobosean Belonging to the Tulamoeba–Pleurostomum Clade (Tulamoebidae n. fam.)

Most protozoans that have been cultivated recently from high salinity waters appear to be obligate halophiles. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these species mostly represent independent lineages. Here, we report the cultivation, morphological characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of two strains (XLG1 and HLM‐8) of a new extremely halotolerant heterolobosean amoeboflagellate. This species is closely related to the obligate halophiles Tulamoeba peronaphora and Pleurostomum flabellatum, and more specifically to the former. Like Tulamoeba, the new species has a monopodial limax amoeba stage, however, its cyst stage lacks an intrusive pore plug. The flagellate stage bears a combination of a planar spiral feeding apparatus and unequal heterodynamic flagella that discriminates it from described Pleurostomum species. Strain XLG1 grows at salinities from 35‰ to 225‰. This degree of halotolerance is uncommon in protozoa, as most species showing growth in seawater are unable to grow at 200‰ salinity. The unrelatedness of most halophilic protozoa suggested that independent colonization of the hypersaline environment is more common than speciation within it. However, this study supports the idea that the Tulamoeba–Pleurostomum clade underwent an adaptive radiation within the hypersaline environment. A new species Tulamoeba bucina n. sp. is described, with Tulamoebidae n. fam. proposed for the Tulamoeba–Pleurostomum clade.