Morphological studies on two marine colepid ciliates from Qingdao, China, Nolandia orientalis spec. nov. and Pinacocoleps similis (Kahl, 1933) comb. nov. (Ciliophora, Colepidae)

Recent studies have revealed that the “lower” marine ciliates are far more diverse than previously suspected. During a survey on the ciliate fauna in coastal waters of Qingdao, northern China, we have isolated about 30 new or poorly known taxa. In the present study two colepid species are investigated, Nolandia orientalis spec. nov. and Pinacocoleps similis (Kahl, 1933) comb. nov. (basionym: Coleps similis Kahl, 1933). Their morphology and infraciliature are documented based on living observations and silver impregnations. The new species Nolandia orientalis differs from the type species N. nolandi mainly in the structure of tier plates. The structure of the tier plates was also the basis for transferring Coleps similis Kahl, 1933 to the genus Pinacocoleps and for three further new combinations: Pinacocoleps heteracanthus (Noland, 1937) comb. nov. (basionym: Coleps heteracanthus Noland, 1937), P. spiralis (Noland, 1937) comb. nov. (basionym Coleps spiralis Noland, 1937) and Pinacocoleps arenarius (Bock, 1952) comb. nov. (basionym: Coleps arenarius Bock, 1952).     

Ciliates from Antarctic sea ice

Five ciliates, Chlamydonella prostomata nov. sp., Paractedoctema acruosa nov. gen., nov. sp., Urocyclon ovatum nov. gen., nov. sp., Porpostoma grassei (Corliss and Snyder 1986) and Cytharoides balechi Tuffrau 1974, collected from sea ice in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica were morphologically and taxonomically investigated. The new genus Paractedoctema is characterized as: Cyclidiidae with naked snout-like apical end and three well-developed membranelles which are multi-rowed in structure and closely apposed one to another; paroral membrane extending anteriorly to about mid-level of M1; one caudal cilium; and silverline system Cyclidium-like. Since Urocyclon Small and Lynn 1985 is a nomen nudum because no type species has been fixed, we re-establish the genus and give a revised definition: uronematids mostly with inverted pear-shaped body and subequatorially positioned cytostome; apical plate dominant; membranelle 1 highly reduced; and paroral membrane extending anteriorly to about mid-level of membrane 2. Based on this new definition, a new combination is suggested: Homalogastra cymruensis (Pérez-Uz and Hope 1997) comb. nov. (formerly Urocyclon cymruensis Pérez-Uz and Hope 1997). For the well-known genus Chlamydonella, an improved diagnosis has been given according to our observations and the data obtained: Lynchellidae without plasmatic protrusions on ventral side; several to many somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; perioral kineties continuous or slightly fragmented with leftmost rows parallel to each other, which are arched transversely; and cytopharyngeal rods (nematodesmata) toothed. Macronucleus usually dimorphic. Regarding the related genus Lynchella Kahl 1933, we suggest that the original diagnosis by Kahl should be maintained. Thus, the genus diagnosis is re-provided: Lynchellidae with plasmatic protrusions on ventral side; several to many somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; perioral kineties continuous or fragmented with some rows parallel to each other; cytopharyngeal rods toothed; macronucleus generally dimorphic. In the light of the redefinition, a new combination has been made: Chlamydonella nordica (Jankowski 1968) comb. nov. (formerly Lynchella nordica Jankowski 1968). Accepted: 10 October 1999     

Questa (Annelida, Polychaeta, Orbiniidae) from Pacific regions — new species and reassessment of the genus Periquesta

On the basis of new material from various Pacific regions we critically evaluate the characters for the taxonomy of the genus Questa and the former Questidae, a taxon now concluded to be a lineage within the family Orbiniidae. Two new species, Questa retrospermatica sp. n. from Hawaii (with similar forms also from New Caledonia and China), and Questa fijiensis sp. n. from Fiji, are described, and the morphological character patterns and phylogeny of the genus are revisited on the basis of a cladistic analysis. The finding of Hawaiian material of a new species, Levinsenia hawaiiensis sp. n., similar to Periquesta canariensis Brito & Nunez, 2002 (=Levinsenia canariensis comb. n.), challenges the view that Periquesta Brito & Nunez, 2002 is closely related to Questa; rather, it belongs to Paraonidae as a junior synonym of Levinsenia Mesnil, 1897.     

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.     

Monophyly and systematic position of Glypthelmins (Digenea), based on partial lsrDNA sequences and morphological evidence

Species composition and systematic placement within the order Plagiorchiida has been controversial. Species number in Glypthelmins Stafford, 1905, a genus of cosmopolitan parasites of anurans, has varied between 19 and 28 species, depending on the taxonomic treatment. The present study performs a phylogenetic analysis using partial lsrDNA sequences to test the monophyly of the genus, and compares new sequences obtained with those published for different plagiorchiids to clarify the systematic position of Glypthelmins within the order Plagiorchiida. Maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses result in identical tree topology. The single MP tree (L=1587, CI=0.40, RI=0.76) includes several clades with high bootstrap and Bremer support values. Glypthelmins sensu lato as traditionally classified is paraphyletic. Based on molecular and/or morphological evidence, the taxonomic diagnosis for Glypthelmins is emended, only eight species are retained in the genus, and re-establishment of the genera Choledocystus Pereira & Cuocolo, 1941 and Rauschiella Babero, 1951 is proposed, resulting in the following new combinations: Choledocystus simulans (Teixeira de Freitas, 1941) comb. nov., C. vitellinophilum (Dobbin, 1958) comb. nov.; Rauschiella chaquensis (Mañé-Garzón & Holcman-Spector, 1967) comb. nov., R. lenti (Teixeira de Freitas, 1941) comb. nov., R. linguatula (Rudolphi, 1819) comb. nov., R. poncedeleoni (Razo-Mendivil & León-Règagnon, 2001) comb. nov., R. robusta (Brooks, 1976) comb. nov., R. rugocaudata (Yoshida, 1916) comb. nov., R. staffordi (Tubangui, 1928) comb. nov. In the phylogenetic reconstruction, Glypthelmins sensu stricto forms the sister group of Haematoloechus Looss, 1899.     

Re-establishment of the cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix Deroux,nov. gen., with a description of Coeloperix sleighi nov. spec. (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Cyrtophorida)

The cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix, which has remained invalid for over 20 years, is re-established. This taxon is characterized by Lynchellids without podites on the ventral side; somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; pre- and post-oral kineties completely separated; two terminal fragments; perioral kineties consisting of one continuous anterior and two detached posterior rows; with cross-striated band around perimeter between ventral and dorsal surfaces. Based on this definition, two nominal species formerly placed in the invalid genus have been included again in Coeloperix: Coeloperix dirempta (Deroux, 1970) nov. comb. [synonym: Lynchella dirempta; Deroux, 1970], C. aspidisciformis (Kahl, 1933) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella aspidisciformis; Kahl, 1933]. Another two morphotypes C. eforiana (Tucolesco, 1962) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella eforiana; Tucolesco, 1962] and C. lynchelliformis (Borror, 1972) nov. comb. [syn. Chlamydodon lynchelliformis; Borro, 1972] have been transferred into the new genus. The morphology of living cells and infraciliature of a new species, C. sleighi nov. spec., isolated from the coastal area of China, have been investigated. It is diagnosed by: size about 40×30 μm in vivo; consistently 4 preoral and 15–16 postoral kineties; 12–16 nematodesmata; cross-striated band with two separations in the equatorial area; 3–4 (usually 3) finger-like tentacles on the ventral side; macronucleus ellipsoidal; two contractile vacuoles diagonally located; marine habitat.     

Occurrence of leeches (Hirudinea, Piscicolidae) on some marine fishes in Norway

Marine fish from several locations along the west coast of Norway were examined for leeches. Seven leech species were detected, Calliobdella nodulifera (Malm, 1863) from codfish, flatfish and a ray, Calliobdella lophii van Beneden & Hesse, 1863 from Lophius piscatorius L., Platybdella anarrhichae (Diesing, 1859) on Anarhichas lupus L., Platybdella quadrioculata Malm, 1863 on Symphodus melops (L.), Oceanobdella sp. on Zeugopterus punctatus (Bloch), Malmiana brunnea (Johansson, 1896) on Myoxocephalus scorpius (L.) and Malmiana bubali Srivastava, 1966 on Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen). Calliobdella nodulifera infected unrelated hosts (euryxenic); the others appeared to be host specialists (oio- or stenoxenic). Details on the occurrence of Calliobdella nodulifera on Enchelyopus cimbrius (L.) during 1 year are given, which together with other observations suggest that its life cycle exceeds a year. A brief account on the morphology of “Platybdella” quadrioculata is provided, justifying its transfer to the genus Oceanobdella Caballero, 1956 as O. quadrioculata comb. nov. With the new additions, the Norwegian marine piscicolid fauna contain 12 species. At least ten additional species, known from adjoining areas, also probably occur along the Norwegian coast.     

Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter and Bowmanites cupulatus sp.n. from the “Illinger Flözzone” (“Heusweiler Schichten”, Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic)

This paper deals with a detailed study of Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter, a member of the “Sphenophyllum thonii group”. New material from the Reisbach colliery, working the “Illinger Flözzone” of the “Heusweiler Schichten” (Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic), is described morphologically and anatomically, and the species is discussed. The new material enlarges the known range of variability of the normal aspect of the foliage, i.e. the foliage of the thinner branches. Thicker stems with their aberrant polymorphous foliage, and cellular details, are described for the first time. An emended diagnosis is given. Comparisons with other species are made.

The new species Bowmanites cupulatus is introduced to accommodate fructufications most probably belonging to Sphenophyllum miravallis.

S. crenulatum Knight ex Wagner is considered to be a heterotypic synonym of S. miravallis, the latter name having priority.     

Geminicoccus roseus gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic phototrophic Alphaproteobacterium isolated from a marine aquaculture biofilter

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, diplococcoid bacterium (strain D2-3^T) was isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture system. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of D2-3^T indicated that the new organism occupied a novel lineage within the -1 subclass of Proteobacteria and was related to the genera Rhodothalassium, Azospirillum, Craurococcus, Acidiphilium, and Tistrella. The highest sequence similarity (90.8%) of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of D2-3^T was to that of Candidatus “Alysiosphaera europaea”. D2-3^T was mesophilic, heterotrophic, required sea salt, and had a pH optimum of 8.0. Growth in the presence of light resulted in the formation of pink colonies, a 25% increased cell yield, and a slightly increased growth rate. D2-3^T contained carotenoids and low amounts of bacteriochlorophyll a. Membranes of D2-3^T contained b-type cytochromes. The G+C content of the DNA was 60.3±0.1 mol%. Phylogenetic, morphological, physiological, and biochemical analyses demonstrated that D2-3^T represented a new aerobic phototrophic genus, for which the name Geminicoccus roseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the type species (D2-3^T=DSM 18922^T=ATCC BAA-1445^T).     

Proposal of Sphingomonas suberifaciens (van Bruggen, Jochimsen and Brown 1990) comb. nov., sphingomonas natatoria (Sly 1985) comb. nov., Sphingomonas ursincola (Yurkov et al. 1997) comb. nov., and emendation of the genus Sphingomonas.

Based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and the presence of sphingoglycolipid in cellular lipids of the type strains, transfer of "Rhizomonas" suberifaciens, Blastomonas natatoria and Erythromonas ursincola to the genus Sphingomonas as Sphingomonas suberifaciens (van Bruggen et al 1990) comb. nov., Sphingomonas natatoria (Sly 1985) comb. nov., and Sphingomonas ursincola (Yurkov et al 1997) comb. nov. are herein proposed together with the emendation of genus Sphingomonas. The type strain of S. suberifaciens is van Bruggen Cal=ATCC 49382=NCPPB 3629=IFO 15211=JCM 8521, that of S. natatoria is ATCC 35951 =DSM 3183=NCIMB 12085=JCM10396, and that of S. ursincola is DSM 9006= KR-99.     

Paralygodium meckertii sp. nov. (Schizaeaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

More than 50 specimens of permineralized fertile pinnules with abaxially borne sporangia have been discovered in calcareous marine nodules from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) Comox Formation from the Eden Main localities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Isolated pinnules 1.6–3.0 mm wide × 1.6–2.8 mm long are lobed and abaxially enrolled to form irregular globose structures. Pyriform sporangia 216–300 μm wide × 360–468 μm long occur in two rows on the abaxial surface of pinnule lobes. Sporangia have an apical annulus of 15–18 cells. Spores are tetrahedral and trilete, 33–42 μm in diameter, with straight to concave interradial sides, laesurae extending nearly to the equator, and a psilate exine. Spores are assignable to the sporae dispersae genus Deltoidospora. Fertile pinnules are compared to fossils of Anemia poolensis and two previously described species of Paralygodium, and show closest similarities to P. vancouverensis from the Eocene of British Columbia. The Cretaceous Eden Main specimens differ in number of pinnule lobes and their morphology and are described as a new taxon: P. meckertii sp. nov. This discovery extends the Cretaceous geographic range of Paralygodium from Japan to North America and adds to our knowledge of the diversity of extinct schizaeaceous ferns.     

Antechiniscus in Australia: Description of Antechiniscus moscali sp. n. and Redescription of Antechiniscus parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae)

Two species of the genus Antechiniscus have been found in Nothofagus forests in Australia. The new species A. moscali sp. n. is described. The New Zealand species A. parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) is redescribed from type material and from the new material from Australia. The taxonomic status of the two species within the genus is discussed.     

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.     

A redescription of Tontonia cornuta (Leegaard, 1915) comb. nov., a planktonic oligotrichous ciliate (Ciliophora: Oligotrichia) from the northern Pacific Ocean

A rare marine planktonic ciliate, Tontonia cornuta comb. nov. [formally Strombidium cornutum (Leegaard, 1915) Kahl, 1932], from the northern Pacific Ocean was morphologically and biometrically investigated based on observations of permanent preparations after protargol impregnation. This species is similar to Tontonia simplicidens but can be distinguished by its conspicuously large size, higher number of macronuclei, and large number of buccal adoral membranelles.     

Pellitidae n. fam. (Lobosea, Gymnamoebia) – a new family, accommodating two amoebae with an unusual cell coat and an original mode of locomotion, Pellita catalonica n.g., n.sp. and Pellita digitata comb. nov

Two species of amoebae, the marine Pellita catalonica n. g., n. sp. discovered in the Ebro Delta (Spain) and Nivå Bay (Denmark) and the freshwater Pellita digitata n. comb., previously known from the UK and Switzerland and now found in North-Western Russia, have a very thick (0.5–0.8 μm) cell coat consisting of a fuzzy fibrous basal layer, covered with the dense layer of complex pentagonal glycostyles. The cell coat is integrated with the cell membrane and entirely envelops the amoeba, like a typical glycocalyx. For purposes of locomotion and phagocytosis the cell produces short papilliform subpseudopodia that protrude through the cell coat and are covered solely by the cell membrane. In order to accommodate these unusual organisms we established a new family, Pellitidae n. fam., within the subclass Gymnamoebia sensu Page, 1987, order Euamoebida.