Protistology 6 (2), 111–125 (2009) Protistology

New (, Testacea) from the Northern-East inland water bodies

Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Laboratory of Protistology, Institute of Zoology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, , Azerbaijan

Summary

Testate amoebae of the Northern-East Azerbaijan several small inland water bodies have been investigated. In the present paper descriptions of the new genus and 12 new species ( pileformis sp. n., C. trigonostoma sp. n., C. pectinata sp. n., Difflugia crucistoma sp. n., D. immemorata sp. n., D. khachmazica sp. n., Lesquereusia nabranica sp. n., L. contorta sp. n., L. azerbaijanica sp. n., L. macrolabiata sp. n., Shamkiriella turanica sp. n., Nabranella brevis gen.et sp. n.) have been given.

Key words: testate amoebae, freshwater, fauna of Azerbaijan

Introduction lection of the Protistology laboratory in the Institute of Zoology NAS of Azerbaijan, Baku city. Statistics were performed using the program The aquatic testate amoebae of the Northern- − East Azerbaijan inland water bodies were not SigmaStat 2.0 ( X – arithmetic mean, M – median, investigated. This region not far from state border SD – standard deviation, SE – standard error, CV – with Russia has numerous shallow small rivers and coefficient of variance (%), Max – maximum, Min spring waters mainly with clean fresh water. In the – minimum, n – number of specimens). present paper we have shown the results of our two years investigations the fauna of testate amoebae of Results freshwater plankton, periphyton and sediments this region rivers and spring waters. Ce n t r o p y x i s p i l e f o r m i s s p . n. (Fi g . 1, A-C; Pl a t e 1, A-C) Material and methods Diagnosis. Shell 165-180 μm × 140-150 μm. Shell We have studied the fauna of testate amoebae hat-like shape laterally with three different size oval in the several small rivers and spring waters of cavity along shell ½ size perimeter. Usually 2-3 lobose Northern-East Azerbaijan near Russian borders. pseudopodia. Freshwater. In 2004-2007 more than 60 samples of freshwater Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E-4 plankton, periphyton and benthos were collected has been deposited. and processed. Testate amoebae were caught by Type location. Sediments in the spring water near microcapillars and studied basically in vivo. The type Nabran village. material all new taxa has been deposites in the col- Description. The shell is oval in ventral view and

© 2009 by Russia, Protistology 112 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Table 1. Biometric characteristic of Centropyxis pileformis sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 173.0 173.0 4.922 1.556 0.028 165.0 180.0 10

Breadth of shell 144.90 145.0 4.254 1.345 0.029 140.0 150.0 10

Height of shell 86.0 86.0 4.055 1.282 0.047 80.0 90.0 10

Length of aperture 76.6 73.0 2.366 0.748 0.031 70.0 75.0 10

Breadth of aperture 65.4 65.0 1.578 0.499 0.024 63.0 67.0 10

Length of spines 22.4 23.0 2.221 0.702 0.099 20.0 25.0 10 hat-like flattened laterally. Length of shell 165-180 Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 1 μm, breadth 140-150 μm, height 80-90 μm. In the has been deposited. middle of the ventral side there is a large trapezoidal Type location. Sediments and surface aquatic aperture (70-75 × 63-67 μm). The shell usually has plants in the spring water near Nabran village. 2 lateral spines (20-25 μm long). There are 3 lateral Description. Length of shell 70-80 μm, breadth cavities. All shell surface covered with inorganic 80-90 μm. Shell shape with well developed triangular particles of different shape and size. Endoplasm torsion below aperture and rounded anterior top. colorless. Pseudopodia are lobose, usually 2-3. There The aperture bordered by a thin lip well visible are 1-3 contractile vacuoles. from ventral side. There are two spherical anterior Comparision with related species. There are only cavities on left and right side from aperture. The shell two Centropyxis species more or less morphologically surface revetment with sand grains of different shape. similar to C. pileformis sp. n.. First of them C. Endoplasm grey. Pseudopodia are lobose, usually recurvata Vucetich, 1976, which has similar body 1-2. There are 3-6 contractile vacuoles. shape from lateral view, but clearly differs from C. Comparison with related species. Considering pileformis by bigger shell size (165-180 μm versus its overall appearance, C. trigonostoma sp. n. should 200-230 μm), twice more aperture size (70-75 μm be compare with closely related by shell shape and versus 135-150), its shape and location (C. pileformis sizes C. hirsuta Deflandre, 1929, C. cassis spinifera has aperture in the middle of the ventral side). From (Playfair, 1918) Deflandre, 1929, C. aculeata C. cordobensis Vucetich, 1976 our C. pileformis sp. minima Van Oye, 1958, C. decloitrella Laminger, n. clearly differs by smaller shell size (165-180 μm 1973 (Table 4). C. trigonostoma sp. n. is easily versus 260-285 μm), height of shell (80-90 μm versus distinguished from the remaining known species 200-210 μm) and breadth of shell (140-150 μm versus of the genus Centropyxis by its uncommon shell 190-210 μm). C. pileformis has two lateral spines and shape, arrangement aperture and its biometric lateral cavities which absence in C. cordobensis. characteristics (Table 2). Etymology. The species name refers to hat-like Etymology. The species name refers to its aperture shell morphology. shape.

Ce n t r o p y x i s t r i g o n o s t o m a s p . n. (Fi g . 1, D-E; Pl a t e Ce n t r o p y x i s p e ct i n a t a s p . n. (Fi g . 2, A-B; Pl a t e 1, 1, D-F) G, 2, A)

Diagnosis. Uncommon shell shape with well Diagnosis. Shell with characteristic anterior top developed ventral torsion below aperture and two spine and cone-like shape from apertural view. spherical anterior cavities on left and right sides Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 2 from aperture. has been deposited.

Table 2. Biometric characteristic of Centropyxis trigonostoma sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 75.8 75.0 4.050 1.281 0.053 70.0 80.0 10

Breadth of shell 85.7 86.0 3.831 1.212 0.045 80.0 90.0 10

Length of spines 17.7 18.0 2.263 0.716 0.128 15.0 20.0 10 Protistology · 113

Fig. 1. A-C – Centropyxis pileformis sp. n.: A – ventral, B – aboral, C – lateral side; D-E – C. trigonostoma sp. n.: D – ventral, E – apical side. Scale bars: A-C – 50 μm; D-E – 20 μm.

Type location. Sediments in the spring water near outline is ovoid with characteristic apical top spine. Nabran village. Oval aperture sizes 30-40 × 45-50 μm. Shell has 6-7 Description. Shell triangular anteriorly with lateral spines. Its length – 25-30 μm. Endoplasm rounded aboral part. Shell length is 100-120 μm, grey, long blade-shape 1-2 pseudopodia are rarely breadth – 50-60 μm. From ventral side the shell observed.

Table 3. Biometric characteristic of Centropyxis pectinata sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 109.0 107.5 8.433 2.667 0.077 100.0 120.0 10

Breadth of shell 56.0 57.5 4.595 1.453 0.082 50.0 60.0 10

Length of aperture 35.5 35.0 4.378 1.384 0.123 30.0 40.0 10

Breadth of aperture 49.9 50.0 3.985 1.260 0.08 45.0 50.0 10

Depth of aperture 18.8 20.0 3.011 0.952 0.160 15.0 22.0 10

Length of spine 28.2 30.0 2.394 0.757 0.085 25.0 30.0 10 114 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Plate 1. A-C – Centropyxis pileformis sp. n., A – ventral, B – aboral, C – lateral side; D-F – C. trigonostoma sp. n., D – ventral, E – apical, F – aboral side; D – C. pectinata sp. n., ventral side. Scale bars: A-C – 50 μm; D-G – 20 μm.

Comparison with related species. C. pectinata Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 7 sp. n. distinctly differs from the other species of the has been deposited. Centropyxis genus by its shell shape, arrangement of Type location. Sediments in the spring water near a characteristic anterior top spine, presence of dorsal city. ones and by its biometric characterization (Table 3). Description. The shell elongate, flattened Comparison C. pectinata sp. n. with related species laterally (85-95 × 65-75 μm). Apical aperture without are given in the Table 5. collar and has constant four blades shape. Aperture Etymology. The species named refers Lat. size – 15-20 μm. The shell surface covered with “pectinatus” – pectinate. a small siliceous particles. The endoplasm bright brown. There are 3-5 short lobopodia. Di f f l u g i a c r u c i s t o m a s p . n. (Fi g . 2, C-D; Pl a t e 2, Comparison with related species. According to B-C) the sub-division of Gauthier-Liévre and Thomas (1958), D. crucistoma sp. n. belongs to the loboses Diagnosis. Shell elongate, flattened laterally. group of the Difflugia genus. D. crucistoma should be Apical aperture has invariable four blades without compared with closely related species of this group collar. Freshwater. – D. gramen Penard, 1902, D. lismorensis Playfair, Protistology · 115

Table 4. Comparison Centropyxis trigonostoma sp. n. with related species.

Characters Length Breadth Arrange Species Aperture shape of shell of shell Shape of shell ment of Data source and size (μm) (μm) (μm) spines Ø 35-40 Triangular in above Ovoid or circular C. trigonostoma 70-80 80-90 view; oval in ventral ventrally, laterally Laterally Original sp. n. view; bordered by a hemispherical thin lip Ogden and Ø 33-50 Usually circular C. hirsuta Deflandre, All shell Hedley, 1980; 72-88 72-88 Invaginated, oval, ventrally, laterally 1929 surface Mazei and sub-terminal hemispherical Tsyaganov, 2006

Ø 31-49 Spherical in the C. cassis spinifera Deflandre, Invaginated, oval, aboral region and (Playfair, 1918) 72-87 --- Laterally 1929; Mazei and subterminal, has a tapers towards the Deflandre, 1929 Tsyaganov, 2006 pronounced rim aperture

Ø 38-39 Spherical and Van Oye, 1958; C .aculeata minima 82-85 82-85 Oval-like shape, tapers towards the laterally Mazei and Van Oye, 1958 subterminal aperture Tsyaganov, 2006

Spherical or Ø 35 On the Laminger, 1973; C. decloitrella subspherical 81 71 Oval-like shape with adoral and Mazei and Laminger, 1973 ventrally, flattened rough margins aboral ends Tsyaganov, 2006 laterally

1918, D. lobostoma Leidy, 1879, D. papillomata Di f f l u g i a i m m e m o r a t a s p . n. (Fi g . 3, A; Pl a t e 3, A) Gauthier-Liévre et Thomas, 1958 and D. schurmanni Van Oye, 1932. Comparison D. crucistoma sp. n. with Diagnosis. Shell drop-shape and with rough related species are given in the Table 7. D. crucistoma surface neck consists of small size particles. Shell sp. n. differs from others species by its flattened surface covered with a big different form sand laterally shell and invariable aperture four blades. particles, which brake oval outline. Freshwater. Etymology. The species named refers Lat. “cruci” Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 10 – cross and “stoma” – mouth. has been deposited.

Table 5. Comparison Centropyxis pectinata sp. n. with related species.

Characters

Length Breadth Aperture Species Spines number of shell of shell shape and size Shape of shell Data source and sizes (μm) (μm) (μm)

6-7 Shell triangular Lateral spines with 30-40 x 45-55 anteriorly with C. pectinata sp. n. 100-120 50-60 characteristic Original Ovoid ventrally rounded aboral apical top one; 25- part 30 μm Ø 35 Spherical or Oval, strong 9 Laminger, 1973; C. decloitrella subspherical, 81 71 invaginated, Lateral spines Mazei and Laminger, 1973 flattened aperture rim is along shell outline Tsyaganov, 2006 laterally rough.

Ehrenberg, In lateral view C. aculeata Ø 35-70 9 1830; Ogden – spherical and (Ehrenberg, 1830) 92-178 77-137 Ovoid or circular Lateral spines; 12- and Hedley, tapers towards Stein, 1857 ventrally. 40 μm 1980; Mazei and the aperture Tsyaganov, 2006 116 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Fig. 2. A, B – Centropyxis pectinata sp. n.: A – ventral, B – lateral side; C, D – Difflugia crucistoma sp. n.: C – apical end; D – lateral side. Scale bars: A-B – 20 μm; C-D – 25 μm.

Type location. On the aquatic plants surface in Comparison with related species. Our D. imme- the small river near Nabran village. morata sp. n. differs from closely related Difflugia Description. Length of shell, 80-90 μm, breadth, pyriformella Chardez, 1982 (Chardez, 1982) smaller 60-70 μm. Shell drop-shape. Anterior aperture (15- size (80-90 versus 100-125 μm) and low neck. 20 μm) circular. Short neck consists with small size Etymology. The species name refers Lat. “imme- sand particles. Other surface covered with bigger moratus” – new, unknown earlier. size particles. Endoplasm grey. There are 1-3 short lobopodia.

Table 6. Biometric characteristic of Difflugia crucistoma sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n

Length of shell (in dorsal view) 89.0 90.0 3.944 1.247 1.247 85.0 95.0 10

Breadth of shell (in apertural view) 70.5 70.0 4.378 1.384 1.384 65.0 75.0 10

Length of blade 17.9 18.5 2.331 0.737 0.737 15.0 20.0 10 Protistology · 117

Plate 2. A – Centropyxis pectinata sp. n.: lateral side; B, C – Difflugia crucistoma sp. n.: B – lateral; C – apical side. Scale bars: A – 20 μm; B-C – 25 μm

Di f f l u g i a k h a c h m a z i c a s p . n. (Fi g . 3, B-C; Pl a t e 3, river near city. B-C) Description. Length of shell 90-100 μm, breadth, 50-65 μm. Subapical aperture (15-20 μm) usually Diagnosis. Shell bean-shape, small curved tetragonal shape. Shell shape bean-like small curved anterially. Subapical aperture with four-blade to anteriorly. All shell surface covered of various shape tetragonal form. Freshwater. particles. Endoplasm transparent, often light green. Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 15 Lobopodia (1-2) observed rarely. has been deposited. Comparison with related species. Our D. khachmazica Type location. On the sediments in the small sp. n. differs from closely related D. bryophila (Penard,

Table 7. Comparison Difflugia crucistoma sp. n. with related species.

Characters Total Species Width Diameter and length Shell outline Data source (μm) aperture shape (μm) Ø 15-20 Elongated, D. crucistoma sp. n. 85-95 65-75 Apical, without collar, has Original flattened laterally 4 blades shape

Penard, 1902; Gauthier- Ø 17-39 Liévre and Thomas, D. gramen Penard, Trilobed, surrounded by 60-117 47-112 Spherical or ovoid 1958; Ogden and 1902 a slightly raised collar of Hedley, 1980; Mazei small particles and Tsyaganov, 2006

Ø 36-45 Playfair, 1918; D. lismorensis Playfair, 3-7 lobes identical by Gauthier-Liévre and 115-145 70-135 Ovoid 1918 form, strong and blunt, Thomas, 1958; Mazei not collar and Tsyaganov, 2006 Leidy, 1879; Gauthier- Spherical or Ø 28-60 D. lobostoma Leidy, Liévre and Thomas, 88-186 68-166 ovoid, rounded in 3-4 blades, surrounded 1879 1958; Mazei and transverse section by collar Tsyaganov, 2006 Ø 30 D. papillomata Gauthier-Liévre and 5-blades, surrounded well Gauthier-Liévre et 105 68 Linear-ovoid Thomas, 1958; Mazei visible, transparent, long Thomas, 1958 and Tsyaganov, 2006 collar

Linear-egg-shaped, Van Oye, 1932; D. schurmanni Van narrow from Ø 18-30 Gauthier-Liévre and 50-85 36-69 Oye, 1932 middle to aperture 3 small blades Thomas, 1958; Mazei direction and Tsyaganov, 2006 118 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Fig. 3. A – Difflugia immemorata sp. n.: lateral side; B, C – D. khachmazica sp. n.: B – apical end; C – lateral side; D – Lesquereusia nabranica sp. n.: lateral side; E – L. contorta sp. n.: lateral side. Scale bars: A – 10 μm; B-C – 20 μm; D-E – 50 μm.

1902) (Gauthier-Liévre, Thomas, 1958; Boltovskoy, modesta Rhumbler, 1895, L. spiralis (Ehrenberg, Lena, 1974) by shell structure and other aperture shape. 1840) Bütschli, 1888, L. mimetica Penard, 1911. Etymology. The species named after region Comparison described below our four new species found (). with other known Lesquereusia representatives are given in the Table 10. At the present time, before our investigations the genus Lesquereusia Schlumberger, 1845 contains Lesquereusia n a b r a n i c a s p . n. (Fi g . 3, D; Pl a t e 3, D) 8 species – L. combinata (Štěpănek, 1952), Bartoš, 1954, L. epistomium Penard, 1893, L. inequalis Diagnosis. Retort shape shell with rather long Cash et Hopkinson, 1909, L. longicollis Dekhtyar, curved neck. Shell surface covered with uniform thin 1994, L. longicollis depressa Dekhtyar, 1994, L. elongate siliceous particles. Freshwater.

Table 8. Biometric characteristic of Centropyxis pectinata sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 85.5 85.0 4.378 4.378 0.051 80.0 90.0 10

Breadth of shell 65.0 65.0 4.714 4.714 0.073 60.0 70.0 10

Diameter of aperture 17.7 18.5 2.497 2.497 0.141 15.0 20.0 10

Length of collar 15.2 15.0 1.476 1.476 0.097 13.0 17.0 10 Protistology · 119

Plate 3. A – Difflugia immemorata sp. n.: lateral side; B, C – D. khachmazica sp. n.: B – lateral, C – apical side; D – Lesquereusia nabranica sp. n.: lateral side; E – L. contorta sp. n.: lateral side; F – L. azerbaijanica sp. n.: lateral side; G – L. macrolabiata sp. n.: lateral side; I, J – Shamkiriella turanica sp. n.: I – lateral, J – dorsal side. Scale bars: A – 10 μm; B-C, G – 20 μm; D-F, I-J – 50 μm.

Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 7 Description. Shell length is 145-160 μm, has been deposited. width is 100-120 μm. Shell retort shape with a Type location. Sediments and aquatic plants long a little curved neck. Apical spherical aperture surface in the spring water near Nabran village. (25-35 μm) has a thin lips. All shell covered with

Table 9. Biometric characteristic of Difflugia khachmazica sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 93.5 92.5 4.116 1.302 0.044 90.0 100.0 10

Breadth of shell 58.0 6.0 6.325 2.0 0.109 50.0 65.0 10

Diameter of aperture 17.4 17.0 2.366 0.748 0.136 15.0 20.0 10 120 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Table 10. Comparison new species with other Lesquereusia representatives.

Characters Form and Length Breadth Species diameter Shell of shell of shell Shell shape Neck Data source of aperture composition (μm) (μm) (μm)

Composed of L. combinata Štěpănek, Shell consist of mixture of curved Unsymmetrical, (Štěpănek, 1952; Bartoš, 150-175 70-80 Ø 40 spherical fundus siliceous rods slightly flattened 1952), Bartoš, 1954; Mazei and and wide neck and irregular laterally 1954 Tsyaganov, 2006 grins of quartz The neck is joined Composed of Ø 37. Roughly to the body at the Penard, 1902; Ovoid or circular curved, siliceous L.epistomium circular and shell at an angle, Ogden, Hedley, 90-70 55-60 with adistinct long rods and the Penard, 1902 surrounded by so that it has one 1980; Mazei and neck occasional quartz siliceous rods short and one Tsyaganov, 2006 particle long side Cash et L. inequalis Cash From lateral Hopkinson, et Hopkinson, 135 125 --- view incorrectly Curved rods Short 1909; Mazei and 1909 triangular form Tsyaganov, 2006 Composed of From lateral short curved Dekhtyar, 1994; L. longicollis view flattened, High, 132-158 102-122 Ø 23-40 sand siliceous Mazei and Dekhtyar, 1994 fundus ellipsoidal unsymmetrical rods and large Tsyaganov, 2006 laterally particles L. longicollis Dekhtyar, 1994; Short, depressa 125-145 109-120 Ø 29-46 As in L. longicollis As in L.longicollis Mazei and unsymmetrical Dekhtyar, 1994 Tsyaganov, 2006 Ø 25-43. Terminal, Circular with an Rhumbler, 1895; circular and Siliceous rods L. modesta unsymmetrical Ogden, Hedley, 100-174 100-159 bordered by and grains of Unsymmetrical Rhumbler, 1895 neck; slightly 1980; Mazei and siliceous rods or quartz flattened laterally Tsyaganov, 2006 small particles of quartz Circular or L. spiralis Siliceous curved rods Ehrenberg, 1840; Ø 40. Terminal, ovoid with an (Ehrenberg, interspersed with a Ogden and Hedley, 90-150 86-109 circular and bordered unsymmetrical Unsymmetrical 1840) Bütschli, meshwork of organic 1980; Mazei and by siliceous rods neck, slightly 1888 cement Tsyaganov, 2006 flattened laterally Oval laterally, Bent back on neck bent back Penard, 1911; Thomas L. mimetica body, forming 370-460 280-350 ---- on body, forming Siliceous particles and Gauthier-Liévre, Penard, 1911 oblique internal oblique internal 1959 partition partition

Ø 25-35. Apical Retort shape with L. nabranica Uniform thin elongate 145-160 100-120 spherical, with a rather long curved Long curved Original sp. n. siliceous rods thin lips neck

Pear-shape form Uniform thin Ø 25-35. Apical L. contorta with straight elongate, usually 145-160 90-100 aperture with thin Straight Original sp. n. neck and slightly slightly curved lips flattened ventrally siliceous rods

Retort-shaped L. azerbaijanica Ø 25-35. Apical Different shape 85-105 63-75 with cone-like Long, cone-like Original sp. n. aperture particles neck

Retort-shape, Ø 15-20. Apical cone-like body L. macrolabiata spherical aperture Very thin and long Cone-like with 90-100 105-120 neck, joined to Original sp. n. has a well developed rods uncommon collar the body of the collar shell at an angle uniform thin elongate siliceous rods. Endoplasm Comparison with related species. Described above colorless without inclusions usually light brown. L. nabranica sp. n. differs from closely related L. Several contractile vacuoles and 2-5 short lobose epistomium Penard, 1902 and L. spiralis (Ehrenberg, pseudopodia. 1840) by bigger shell size (145-160 versus 110-125 Protistology · 121

Table 11. Biometric characteristic of Lesquereusia nabranica sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 152.0 150.0 5.869 1.856 0.039 145.0 160.0 10

Breadth of shell 113.5 120.0 9.443 2.986 0.083 100.0 120.0 10

Diameter of aperture 30.0 30.0 4.714 1.491 0.157 25.0 35.0 10

μm - L. epistomium Penard, 1902 and 89-117 μm - Diagnosis. Retort shell shape typical for Lesque- L. spiralis (Ehrenberg, 1840) according Ogden and reusia genus. Neck is cone-shape with circular apical Hedley, 1980) and other shell shape. Additionly aperture. Freshwater. from L. spiralis our L. nabranica clearly differs with Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 12 long neck and fundus shape (Table 10). has been deposited. Etymology. The species named after region Type location. Sediments and aquatic plants in found (Nabran village). the spring water near Nabran village. Description. Shell length is 84-105 μm, width Lesquereusia c o n t o r t a s p . n. (Fi g . 3, E; Pl a t e 3, E) – 63-75 μm. Shell retort-shaped with cone-like neck. Apical aperture 25-35 μm size. The shell Diagnosis. Retort shape shell with straight surface covered with short and wide, different neck. Apical aperture on the neck and has thin lips. shape particles. Endoplasm transparent usually All shell slightly flattened ventrally. Shell surface light yellow. covered with uniform thin elongate siliceous rods. Comparison with related species. Described Freshwater. above our species differs from closely related L. Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 14 epistomium Penard, 1902 and L. spiralis (Ehrenberg, has been deposited. 1840) by smaller size (according Ogden and Hedley, Type location. Peryphiton on the rocks in the 1980 – 130 μm versus 84-105) and other shell small rivers near Nabran village. structures (Table 10). Description. Shell length is 145-160 μm, the Etymology. The species named after region width – 90-100 μm. The shell constantly pear- found (Azerbaijan Republic). shape with straight neck and slightly flattened ventrally. Apical aperture (25-35 μm) has thin Lesquereusia m a c r o l a b i a t a s p . n. (Fi g . 4, B; Pl a t e lips. Shell surface covered with uniform thin 3, G) elongate, usually slightly curved siliceous particles. Endoplasm colorless light brown. Usually observed Diagnosis. Common for Lesquereusia retort- 1-5 lobopodia. shape shell. The cone-like neck is joined to the Comparison with related species. Described fundus at an angle. Apical spherical aperture has a above species differs from closely related Lesque- well developed collar. Freshwater. reusia nabranica sp. n. with straight neck aperture Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 7 with lips and rather flattened ventrally shell shape has been deposited. (Table 10). Type location. Peryphiton on the rocks in the Etymology. The species name refers Lat. “con- small rivers near Nabran village. tortus” – curved. Description. The shell length is 90-100 μm, width is 105-120 μm. Apical spherical aperture located on Lesquereusia azerbaijani c a s p . n. (Fi g . 4, A; Pl a t e the cone-like neck. The siliceous rods, covered shell 3, F) surface – very thin and long. Endoplasm colorless.

Table 12. Biometric characteristic of Lesquereusia contorta sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 150.0 150.0 5.774 1.826 0.038 145.0 160.0 10

Breadth of shell 93.5 92.5 4.116 1.302 0.044 100.0 100.0 10

Diameter of aperture 30.5 90.0 4.378 1.384 0.144 25.0 35.0 10 122 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Table 13. Biometric characteristic of Lesquereusia azerbaijanica sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 93.8 94.5 6.844 2.164 0.073 84.0 105.0 10

Breadth of shell 67.0 67.0 3.771 1.193 0.056 63.0 75.0 10

Diameter of aperture 29.4 29.0 3.373 1.067 0.115 25.0 35.0 10

Comparison with related species. Our Lesque- 100-125 μm). Besides Sh. turanica differs from other reusia macrolabiata sp. n. clearly differs from three species by low-defined aperture collar and closely related L. azerbaijanica with more thin and other longitudinal folds arrangement. long shell surface rods. Additionly, from all other Etymology. The species named after region - representatives of Lesquereusia genus differs of “Turan” ancestrial name of South Caucasus and uncommon well developed collar round aperture Middle Asia territories. (Table 10). Etymology. The species named refers Lat. Na b r a n e l l a g e n . n o v . “macro” – large and “labiatus” – lip. Diagnosis. Shell light brown ovoid or spherical, Shamkiriella t u r a n i c a s p . n. (Fi g . 4, C-D; Pl a t e without neck. Apical top flat with two holes aperture 3, I-J) and transverse diaphragm – similar Pontigulasia genus. Our genus differs from closely related Pon- In our previous article was described new tigulasia by full neck absence. genus Shamkiriella with 3 species (Snegovaya and Type species – Nabranella brevis gen et sp. n. Fresh- Alekperov, 2005). In the present paper we described water. 4-th new species. Na b r a n e l l a b r e v i s g e n e t s p . n. (Fi g . 4, E-F; Pl a t e Diagnosis. Shell elongated, with characteristic 4, A,B) longitudinal fold laterally flattened. Apical aperture oval shape with low-defined collar. The shell Diagnosis. Shell oval or spherical shape without composed with transparent plates of variable size. neck. Apical top flat and has transverse diaphragm Freshwater. with two holes aperture, very similar on the Ponti- Type specimens. One holotype as a slide N-E 10 gulasia aperture arrangement and clearly differs by has been deposited. neck absence. Type location. Sediments in the spring water Type specimens. Holotype as a one slide N-E 6 near Nabran village. has been deposited. Description. Shell length is 160-180 μm, breadth Type location. Sediments in the spring water - 80-95 μm. Apical oval aperture (40-50 × 30-40 μm) near Nabran village. with low collar. Shell has typical for Shamkiriella Description. The shell length is 80-90 μm, genus approximately longitudinal folds. Endoplasm breadth – 60-75 μm. Neck absent. The shell light green, granulate. Pseudopodia not observed. composed of different size mineral particles. Apical Comparison with related species. Described top flat with two holes (40-50 μm) and tranverse above Sh. turanica sp. n. is a biggest representatives diaphragm. Endoplasm usually brown, pseudopodia of Shamkiriella genus. Other three known species not observed. has more less sizes (Sh. convoluta – 100-115 μm; Comparison with related species. Our N. brevis gen Sh. reticulata – 125-140 μm; Sh. phimatophora – et sp. n. differs from all closely related representatives

Table 14. Biometric characteristic of Lesquereusia macrolabiata sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 94.8 95.0 4.131 1.306 0.044 90.0 100.0 10

Breadth of shell 113.7 115.0 5.498 1.739 0.048 105.0 120.0 10

Diameter of aperture 17.2 16.0 2.486 0.786 0.145 15.0 20.0 10

Height of collar 8.3 8.5 1.889 0.597 0.228 5.0 10.0 10 Protistology · 123

Fig. 4. A – Lesquereusia azerbaijanica sp. n.: lateral side; B –.L. macrolabiata sp. n.: lateral side; C, D – Sham- kiriella turanica sp. n.: C – lateral, D – dorsal side; E, F – Nabranella brevis gen.et sp. n.: E – lateral side; F – apical view. Scale bars: A, C-D – 50 μm; B, E-F – 20 μm.. 124 · Nataly Snegovaya and Ilham Alekperov

Cash J. and Hopkinson J. 1909. The British freshwater Rhizopoda and Heliozoa. Vol. II. Rhizopoda. Part II. London: ray Society Publica- tion. 89, 1-166. Chardez D. 1982. Sur une nouvelle espèce de Thécamoebien (Difflugia pyriformella) et note systématique sur quelques espèces du groupe des “pyriformes”. Revue Verviétoise d’Histoire Naturelle. 70-73. Deflandre G. 1929. Le genre Centropyxis Stein. Arch.Protistenk. 67, 322-375. Dekhtyar M.N. 1994. The new and rare species of Testate amoebae of the Families Arcellidae, , Lesquereusiidae and Hyalospheniidae (Rhizopoda, Testacealobosia). Zool.Journ. 73, 3-14. Ehrenberg C.G. 1830. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Organisation der Infusorien und ihrer geo- graphischen Verbreitung, besonders in Sibirien. Abh. Dt. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1-88. Ehrenberg C.G. 1840. Das grössere Infusorien- werk (Diagnosen von 274 neuen Infusorien). Ber. verh. K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 197-219. Gauthier-Liévre L. and Thomas R. 1958. Les genres Diffluqia, Pentagonia, Maghrebia et Hooqenraadia (Rhizopodes testacés) en Afrique. Plate 4. Nabranella brevis gen.et sp. n.: A – lateral, Arch. Protistenk. 103, 241-370. B – apical side. Scale bar: 20 μm. Gauthier-Liévre L. and Thomas R. 1960. Le genre Cucurbitella Penard. Arch. Protistenk. 104, of Pontigulasia genus by full neck absence. In our 569-602. opinion this difference has a genus level. Lahr D.J.G. and Lopes S.G.B.C. 2006. Morpho- Etymology. The species named refers Lat. logy, biometry, ecology and biogeography of five “brevis” – short. species of Difflugia Leclerc, 1815 (Arcellinidae: Difflugi-idae) from Tiete River, Brasil. Acta Protozool. 45, 77-90. References Laminger H. 1973. Die Testaceen (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) einiger Hochgebirgsgewŕsser von Bartoš E. 1954. Koreoonoce radu Testacea. Mexiko. Costa Rica und Guatemala. Int. Rev. ges. Vydavatel’stvo slovenskej akademie vied, Bratislava. Hydrobiol. 58, 273-305. 1-187. Leidy J. 1879. Freshwater Rhizopods of North Boltovskoy E. and Lena H. 1974. Tecamebas America. Rep. US Geol.Surv.terr. 12, 1-324. del Río de la Plata: Servício de Hydrografia Naval, Mazei Yu.A. and Tsyganov A.N. 2006. Fresh- Publicación. H 660, 1-32. water Testate Amoebae. KMK, Moscow.

Table 15. Biometric characteristic of Shamkiriella turanica sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 170.0 170.0 8.498 2.687 0.05 160.0 180.0 10

Breadth of shell 87.0 85.0 7.149 2.261 0.082 80.0 95.0 10

Thickness of shell 56.5 57.5 4.116 1.302 0.073 50.0 60.0 10

Length of aperture 45.5 45.0 4.378 1.384 0.096 40.0 50.0 10

Breadth of aperture 36.0 35.0 3.944 1.247 0.11 30.0 40.0 10

Length of spine 7.8 7.0 2.044 0.646 0.262 5.0 10.0 10 Protistology · 125

Table 16. Biometric characteristic of Nabranella brevis gen et sp. n.

− Character X M SD SE CV Min Max n Length of shell 86.2 86.0 3.938 1.245 0.046 80 90 10

Breadth of shell 69.5 70.0 4.378 1.384 0.063 60.0 75.0 10

Depth of aperture 17.4 17.0 2.366 0.748 0.136 15.0 20.0 10

Diameter of aperture 46.0 45.0 3.944 1.247 0.086 40.0 50.0 10

Length of bottom aperture 15.2 15.0 0.919 0.291 0.060 13.0 16.0 10

Breadth of bottom aperture 9.20 10.0 1.033 0.327 0.112 8.0 10.0 10

Ogden C.G. and Fairman S. 1979. Further Snegovaya N.Yu. and Alekperov I.Kh. 2005. obser-vations on pyriform species of Difflugia Fauna of Testate amoebae of Western Azerbaijan (Rhizo-podea). Arch.Protistenk. 122, 372-381. rivers. Protistology, 4(2), 149-183. Ogden C.G. and Hedley R.H. 1980. An atlas Štěpánek M. 1952. Testacea of the pond of of freshwater testate amoebae. Oxford Univ. Press, Hradek at Kunratice (Prague). Acta Mus. Nat. London, 1-222. Pragae. Ser. B., 8, 1-55. Penard E. 1902. Faune Rhizopodique du Bassin Thomas R., Gauthier-Lièvre L. 1959. Le genre de Léman. Künding, Genéve. 1-714. Lesquereusia Schlumberger, 1845 (Rhizopodes Penard E. 1911. Rhizopodes d’eau douce. In: testacés). Bull. Soc. Hist. nat. Afr. noire. 50, 34- British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909, under the 83. command of Sir E.H. Shacleton, C.V.O. Reports Van Oye P. 1932. Rhizopodes du district sub- on the scientific investigations. William Hinemnn alpin e la Belgique. Arch.Naturgesch. Abt.B.N.F., London. Vol. I Biology, Pt. 6, 203-262. 538-573. Playfair G.I. 1918. Rhizopods of Sydney and Van Oye P. 1958. Étude sur les Rhizopodes Lismore. Proc.Linn.Soc.New South Wales. 42, des marais de Sud-Quest d’Uvira (Congo-Belge). 633-675. Hydrobiologia. 10, 85-137. Rhumbler L. 1895. Beitäge zur Kenntnis der Rhizopoden (Beitrag III, IV und V). Z. wiss. Zool., 61, 38-110.

Address for correspondence: Nataly Snegovaya. Laboratory of Protistology, Institute of Zoology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, AZ1073, Azerbaijan, e-mail: [email protected]