The Free-Living Ciliates of the Mexican Gulf Coast Near Port Aransas City and Its Suburbs (South Texas, USA)

Protistology 5 (2/3), 101–130 (2007/8) Protistology

The free-living ciliates of the Mexican Gulf coast near Port Aransas city and its suburbs (South Texas, USA)

Ilham Alekperov 1, Edward Buskey 2 and Nataly Snegovaya 1

1 Institute of Zoology, NAS of Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan 2 University of Texas, Marine Sciences Institute, Port Aransas, Texas, USA

Summary

Free-living ciliates of the Mexican Gulf coast near Port Aransas city and its suburbs were studied. A total of 28 species of marine ciliates found in psammon, periphyton and plankton were measured and identiﬁed. Six new species are established: Holophrya portaransasii sp. n., Zosterodasys texensis sp. n., Z.minor sp. n., Strombidinopsis magna sp. n., Paratontonia mononucleata sp. n., Euplotes minor sp. n. All descriptions (6 new and 22 most characteristic species) are based on live observations, morphometric analysis, protargol and silver nitrate impregna- tions.

Key words: Ciliophora, Mexican Gulf, psammon, periphyton, plankton

Introduction Material and Methods

The Gulf of Mexico has been known as a very A total of twenty-seven samples were collected rich region in biological production where free-liv- from different points of the Mexican Gulf coast near ing ciliates play an important role as a food reserve Port Aransas city and its suburbs in September 2005 for animals consuming protozoa. Free-living ciliates (see map). Ten samples of marine psammon (fine of the Gulf of Mexico have been studied mainly in sand) as well as ten samples of periphyton from coast its eastern part near Florida (Borror, 1963) and es- stones were collected on the supralittoral part of the pecially from coastal waters near Kingston Harbor, Gulf beaches and ship channel near Port Aransas city Jamaica (Gilron and Lynn, 1989; Gilron at al., 1991; and its suburbs. Seven plankton samples were col- Lynn at al., 1991; Lynn and Gilron, 1993). lected from the water surface on the pier of Marine The taxonomical study of this group of one-cellu- Science Institute. Average water temperature during lar animals of the west side of the USA Atlantic coast the sampling period was 270C. had not been carried out before our studies. The ciliates were observed in vivo (10 specimens This paper gives the results of short-term taxo- of each species) then fixed by Boin or Champy fluids nomical studies of free-living ciliates of the western in the University of Texas Marine Sciences Institute part of the Gulf of Mexico coast (plankton, periphy- (Port Aransas, Texas, USA). All fixed cells and ton, psammon) near Port Aransas city and its sub- some alive samples were delivered (by the first au- urbs. thor) to the Protistology Laboratory of the Institute

Map. 1. The sample points near Port Aransas city (Texas, USA). of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of %), Max – maximum, Min – minimum, n – number Azerbaijan (Baku city) for further investigations. of specimens. The fixed specimens were impregnated, using either the silver nitrate methods (Chatton and Lwoff, 1930) or Results and Discussion silver proteinate modification (Alekperov, 1992). All the measurements were made on no less than 10 living Class Karyorelictea Corliss, 1974 specimens and 6-8 impregnated cells. The type mate- Subclass Trachelocercia Jankowski, 1980 rial of the new taxa has been deposited in the Institute Order Loxodida Jankowski, 1978 of Zoology, NAS of Azerbaijan, Baku city. Family Loxodidae Bütschli, 1889 Morphometric data are based on randomly se- Remanella rugosa (Kahl, 1933) (Fig. 1, A-B; Plate 1, lected, protargol impregnated and mounted non-di- A-B; Table 1). viders; statistics were performed using the program Live specimens of Remanella rugosa are about – SigmaStat 2.0; abbreviations in the tables: X – arith- 150-190 µm, after fixation no more 110 µm in size, metic mean, M – median, SD – standard deviation, strongly flattened. The species are very flexible and SE – standard error, CV – coefficient of variance (in usually spirally contorted. The anterior body end is Protistology • 103

Fig. 1. A, B – Remanella rugosa (Kahl, 1933) from life (A) and after protargol impregnationB ( ); C-D - Remanella multinucleata (Kahl, 1933). C – right lateral view, D – left lateral viewC-D ( – protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: DM – developing Müller vesicle; IK – intrabuccal kinety; LOK – left buccal kinety; LIK – left inner buccal kinety; RK – right buccal kinety; F – fibres; B– buccal overture; Pt – pharyngeal tube; MV – Müller vesicles; Ma – macronuclei; Mi – micronucleus; DLK – dorsolateral kinety. rounded and has a snout-like ventral process. The The right buccal kinety extends along the right posterior part is narrowed and tail-like elongated. margin of the buccal overture and consists of very The right lateral side has 10-12 somatic rows of diki- tightly spaced and inverted somatic dikinetids. There netids. The left lateral side has only two rows of diki- is also an intrabuccal kinety, which extends to the netids, located along animal body margins. The oral right of the buccal ridge from the anterior end of the area is located in the anterior forth of the cell. The cell. The intrabuccal kinety consists of dikinetids oral infraciliature is composed of left outer buccal having ciliated anterior basal bodies. Usually there kinety extending along the left margin of the buc- are 3 Müller vesicles located along right margin of cal overture and consists of closely spaced dikinetids the right lateral side. having the posterior basal body ciliated. Endoplasm transparent. There are two oval The left inner buccal kinety consists of rotated macronuclei with single spherical micronucleus. dikinetids the anterior basal bodies of which are cili- Our specimens show morphological characteris- ated and according to Foissner (1996) associated with tics, which correspond to the species described by a thick long fibre, possibly a nematodesmata, extend- Dragesco (1965). According to Foissner (1996), Kahl ing horizontally to the dorsal buccal wall. (1933) founded Remanella genus with five new spe- Table 1. Morphometric characteristics of Remanella rugosa (Kahl, 1933)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 174.29 180.0 15.12 5.71 8.675 150.0 190.0 10 Somatic rows (right, lateral side) 11.143 12.0 1.069 0.404 9.593 10.0 12.0 7 Somatic rows (left, lateral side) 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Müller vesicles number 3.857 3.0 1.069 0.404 27.716 3.0 5.0 7 Macronuclei number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Micronucleus number 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 1.0 7 104 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Plate 1. A – Remanella rugosa (Kahl, 1933) from life; B – R.rugosa; C - Holophrya portaransasii sp. n.; D - Paraspathidium fuscum (Kahl, 1928); E - Fuscheria marina Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995; F - Lacrymaria delmarei Dragesco, 1960 (B-C, E-F - protargol impregnation; D -impregnation by silver nitrate).

Table 2. Morphometric characteristics of Remanella multinucleata (Kahl, 1933)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 592.857 600.0 93.223 35.235 15.724 450.0 700.0 10 Somatic rows (right, lateral side) 21.0 21.0 0.816 0.309 3.886 20.0 22.0 7 Somatic rows (left, lateral side) 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Müller vesicles number 5.286 6.0 0.951 0.360 17.991 4.0 6.0 7 Macronuclei number 12.143 12.0 3.934 1.487 32.397 7.0 18.0 7 Micronuclei number 5.500 5.500 1.871 0.764 34.01 3.0 8.0 7 Protistology • 105

Fig. 2. A-D – Tracheloraphis oligostriata (Raikov, 1962): A – from life, B-D – after protargol impregnation, C – left side view of anterior body portion, D – right side view of anterior body portion; E – F – Placus antarcticus Petz, Song, Wilbert, 1995: E – general view, F – anterior end after silver nitrate impregnation. Abbreviations: B – brosse; OB – oral bulge; Nem – nematodesmata; N – nuclei; SK – somatic kineties; SC – subapical cavity; AO – adoral organelle; CK – circumoral kinety; Ep – excretory pore of contractile vacuole. cies and one new variety, none of which he desig- The left lateral side covered only with two rows of diki- nated as type. The genus is thus invalid according to netids (each with single cilium) located along animal the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature body margins. The number of Müller vesicles is 4-6. (1985). At the present time Foissner (1996) declared Our specimens of Remanella multinucleata usu- Remanella Kahl, 1933 to be a nomen nudum, but re- ally have 7-18 macronuclei with 3-8 micronuclei. installed Remanella as a new genus to avoid an infla- Our specimens show morphological characteris- tion of names and fixed R.multinucleata (Kahl, 1933) tics, which correspond to the species described by as type species of the new genus with improved di- Foissner (1996). This species as well as previous ones agnosis. were found in the ocean psammon near Marine Sciences Institute. Remanella multinucleata (Kahl, 1933) (Fig. 1, C- D; Table 2). Order Trachelocercida Jankowski, 1978 The ciliary pattern described above for R.rugosa Family Trachelocercidae Kent, 1881 is very similar to the R.multinucleata, which much Tracheloraphis oligostriata (Raikov, 1962) (Fig. 2, more differs in size and nuclei proliferation. A-D; Table 3). Live cells of R.multinucleata are about 450-700 µm, Live specimens are about 350-600 µm long. Body after fixation - no more 550 µm. The shape vermi- elongated, filiform and flattened shape. Fixed speci- forme hard flattened and usually spirally contorted. mens up to 320 µm, banana-shaped. Anterior end The oral apparatus of R.multinucleata similar to with a small transparent head. On the left side of the above-described R.rugosa, occupies the anterior the head there is small diagonal row consisting of 5- part of the cell. The right lateral side covered with 20- 6 dikinetids (brosse). On the right side of the head 22 somatic rows, consists of dikinetids with two cilia. below oral bulge well observed nematodesmata. The 106 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Table 3. Morphometric characteristics of Tracheloraphis oligostriata (Raikov, 1962)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 500.0 520.0 92.916 35.119 18.583 350.0 600.0 10 Somatic rows 5.0 5.0 0 0 0 5.0 5.0 7 Macronuclei number 6.875 7.0 0.835 0.295 12.145 6.0 8.0 8 Micronuclei number 3.833 3.5 0.983 0.401 25.646 3.0 5.0 7

Table 4. Morphometric characteristics of Placus antarcticus Petz, Song, Wilbert, 1995

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 86.429 80.0 18.420 6.962 21.312 70.0 120.0 10 Body width 70.400 70.000 12.149 3.842 17.257 50.0 85.0 10 Nematodesmata number 14.429 14.0 0.787 0.297 5.454 14.0 16.0 7 Somatic rows number 37.714 38.0 2.360 0.892 6.258 35.0 40.0 7 Postcavity kineties number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 6 Cytostome length 18.167 18.0 2.483 1.014 13.668 15.0 21.0 6 somatic infraciliature consisting of 5 kinetic diki- Our specimens show morphological character- netids rows has only the right surface, left is bar- istics which correspond to the species described ren. by Foissner (1996), differing by two times lower Endoplasm with some food vacuoles. nuclei number. From specimens described from Usually macronuclei number 6-8 in single strand the Gulf-Shore of Saudi Arabia (Al-Rasheid, 1998) arranged in groups each consists of two macronuclei they differ by one number fewer somatic ciliary with single micronucleus. rows.

Fig. 3. A-C – Holophrya lemani (Dragesco, 1960): A- general view (after silver nitrate impregnation), B – nuclei (Feulgen nuclear reaction), C – silverline system (after silver nitrate impregnation); D – Holophrya portaransasii sp. n.: general view (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: DB – dorsal brosse, Nem – nematodesmata; CV – contractile vacuole; CF – cytofarinx; Ma – macronucleus, Mi – micronucleus. Protistology • 107

Order Prorodontida Corliss, 1974 Family Holophryidae Perty, 1852 Family Placalidae Song and Wilbert, 1989 Holophrya lemani (Dragesco, 1960) (Fig. 3, A-C; Placus antarcticus Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995 Table 5). (Fig. 2, E-F; Table 4). Alive specimens 80-90 µm, after fixation up 75 µm. For the first time this species was found in the pan- Outline ellipsoid. Cytostome apical with 15-20 nema- cake ice of the Weddel Sea, Antarctica (Petz et al., 1995). todesmata. Dorsal brosse includes three short rows We found Placus antarcticus in the periphyton on the of different length, each of them composed of double stones of the ship channel at the Port Aransas city. kinetosomes. The entire surface covered by silverline Alive specimens 80-160 × 50-85 µm, after fixa- system with small polygonal argiroconts. Somatic ki- tion – 70-120 × 40-70 µm. Body shape oval. Adoral neties numbering 38-45. Endoplasm yellowish with organelles extending from subapical cavity along the several food vacuoles consisting of dinoflagellates. right side of cytostome are composed of 8-9 pairs of Macronucleus bean-like, about 15 µm, contains kinetosomes. Apical cytostome elongated with 14- few spherical nucleoli. Contractile vacuoles termi- 16 nematodesmata. Somatic ciliature is composed nal. of about 40 rows of kineties. From the right side of Our specimens of Holophrya lemani had smaller subapical cavity there are 3-5 slightly shortened size (80-90 versus 115) and had fewer somatic rows rows, terminated at adoral organelles. There are also (38-45 versus 50-55) than those described by Al- two postcavity kineties (terminology by Song and Rasheid (2000). Wilbert, 1989) extending from posterior portion to subapical cavity. Holophrya portaransasii sp. n. (Fig. 3, D; Plate 1, Endoplasm with numerous food vacuoles, consist- C; Table 6). ing of dinoflagellates and diatoms. Contractile vacu- Diagnosis. In vivo 40-60 × 30-40 µm. Outline ole located at the posterior body end. Macronucleus elliptical to spherical. 30-32 bipolar somatic rows. spherical with single micronucleus occupied equato- Giant apical cytostome with huge long pharynx end- rial body part. ing near posterior body part. Single horseshoe-like Our specimens of P. antarcticus differ from origi- macronucleus with single spherical micronucleus. nal description by the shape of macronucleus. This Contractile vacuoles terminal. Marine. species had not been recorded in other regions of the Type location. Plankton of the ship channel near world prior to our research. Port Aransas city.

Table 5. Morphometric characteristics of Holophrya lemani (Dragesco, 1960)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 86.857 88.0 3.761 1.421 4.330 80.0 90.0 10 Dorsal bross rows number 3.0 3.0 0 0 0 3.0 3.0 7 Somatic rows number 41.143 40.0 2.734 1.033 6.645 38.0 45.0 7 Macronucleus length 12.429 12.0 1.902 0.719 8.771 10.0 15.0 7

Table 6. Morphometric characteristics of Holophrya portaransasii sp. n.

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 49.167 47.500 7.360 3.005 14.969 40.0 60.0 10 Body width 34.286 35.0 4.499 1.70 13.122 30.0 40.0 10 Somatic rows number 31.0 31.0 1.0 0.378 3.226 30.0 32.0 7 Cytostome width 15.429 15.0 2.149 0.812 13.928 13.0 20.0 7 Nematodesmata number 22.857 24.0 1.574 0.595 6.886 20.0 24.0 7 Nematodesmata length 33.857 35.0 2.055 0.769 6.070 30.0 35.0 7 Macronucleus length 46.0 45.0 4.123 1.558 8.963 40.0 50.0 7 Micronucleus number 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 1.0 7 108 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Fig. 4. A – Didinium gargantua Meunier, 1910 (after protargol impregnation); B – Monodinium balbiani subspecies rostratum (Kahl, 1926) (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: Pr – proboscis, Tx – toxicysts; B – brosse; ACG – anterior ciliary girdle; PCG – posterior ciliary girdle; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronucleus; CV – contractile vacuole.

Type specimens. 1 holotype as a slide (Tex. N10) apical cytostome, clearly shows that this species be- of protargol impregnated cells. longs to Holophrya. Arrangement of pharynx rath- Description. In vivo 40-60 × 30-40 µm, after fixa- er resembles Gymnozoum Meunier 1910, but all its tion – 30-40 × 20-30 µm. Outline elliptical to spheri- other taxonomic characteristics (one spiral kinety cal. Giant cytostome (15 µm) located anteriorly, with (kinetofragmon) and several (4-5) spiraling kine- 22-24 huge long nematodesmata forming a long ties curving semicircularly around oral area) are (35 µm) funnel-shaped pharynx. Dorsal brosse not absent. shown up by impregnation with protargol. Somatic Described above Holophrya portaransasii sp. kineties composed of 30-32 bipolar rows, starting nov. clearly differs from other representatives of from the cytostome and ending on the posterior Holophrya genus by small body size and number of body end. somatic rows and giant size of cytostome with cyto- Endoplasm transparent without inclusions. pharynx. Besides, from main species of Holophrya, Macronucleus (length up to 50 µm) horseshoe- our H.portaransasii differs by the shape of its mac- like with single spherical micronucleus are located in ronucleus. the equatorial body part. Contractile vacuole (in vivo size up 8 µm) situ- Order Spathidiida Foissner and Foissner, 1988 ated posteriorly. Family Didiniidae Poche, 1913 Comparison with related genera and species. Didinium gargantua Meunier, 1910 (Fig. 4, A; The general organization, e.g. infraciliature and Table 7). Protistology • 109

Table 7. Morphometric characteristics of Didinium gargantua, Meunier, 1910

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 70.0 70.0 23.094 8.729 32.991 70.0 100.0 10 Body width 59.286 60.0 14.840 5.609 25.031 40.0 80.0 10 Proboscis length 14.143 14.0 2.911 1.100 20.583 10.0 17.0 7 Anterior pectinelles number 57.500 57.500 2.258 0.922 3.927 55.0 60.0 6 Brosse, number of rows 3.0 3.0 0 0 0 3.0 3.0 7 Macronucleus length 45.429 48.0 14.695 5.554 32.347 27.0 65.0 7

Table 8. Morphometric characteristics of Monodinium balbianii subspecies rostratum (Kahl, 1926)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 57.286 55.0 11.772 4.449 20.550 45.0 70.0 10 Body width 44.571 40.0 8.997 3.401 20.186 35.0 57.0 10 Proboscis length 32.571 30.0 5.884 2.224 18.065 25.0 40.0 7 Pectinelles number 48.286 48.0 1.890 0.714 3.914 45.0 50.0 7 Brosse, number of rows 5.0 5.0 0 0 0 5.0 5.0 7 Macronucleus length 25.429 25.0 2.370 0.896 9.320 22.0 28.0 7

The alive specimens 70-100 × 40-80 µm, fixed Monodinium balbianii subspecies rostratum cells up to 30-80 × 15-30 µm. Body cup-shaped pos- (Kahl, 1926) (Fig. 4, B; Table 8). teriorly broadly rounded and distinct proboscis (up Foissner et al. (1999) divides Monodinium bal- to 14 µm) anteriorly. Proboscis (oral dome) has toxi- biani Fabre-Domerque, 1988 into three subspecies, cysts (20 µm long) and is located in the centre of an- which differ mainly by the shape of the proboscis terior trunk end. There are 55-60 somatic kineties, (oral dome). This cone-shaped protrusion is moder- extending from anterior to posterior end. Two ciliary ately long and rather narrow in M.balbianii balbianii, girdles, anterior and posterior, are composed of short short, broad and depressed in M.balbianii brevipro- 55-60 rows (pectinelles). Cilia in the pectinelles are boscis and long and very narrow in M.balbianii ros- 20 µm long. All basal bodies between ciliary girdles tratum. Below, we describe later subspecies, which are non-ciliferous. were found in desalinized marine water reserve ter- Brosse composed of three short different length ritory near Port Aransas city. rows starting from three anterior and three posterior Alive specimens 45-70 µm, fixed cells up to 60 pectinelles. µm. Long and narrow proboscis (30 µm) in centre Endoplasm transparent light grey contains sever- of anterior trunk end, has numerous extrusomes. al food vacuoles with dinoflagellates. Macronucleus Body outline ovoidal with rather elongated cau- sausage-shaped usually oblique in the equatorial dal end. About 50 basal body rows, which are cili- part of the body with numerous ribbon-like nucleoli. ated only at the single anterior conspicuous girdle Micronucleus single, spherical. (pectinelles). Brosse consists of five different length Before our investigation, this marine species had rows of double kinetosomes starting from five ante- been found only in the cold waters of Arctic Ocean rior pectinelles. and Antarctic region (Garrison, 1991; Hada, 1970; Endoplasm transparent light grey or brown, con- Palmisano and Garrison, 1993; Petz et al., 1995). It is tains food vacuoles with flagellates. the first record of this species for the tropical marine Macronucleus sausage-shaped (25 µm) usually waters. oblique in the equatorial body part with numerous Our specimens differ from D.gargantua described ribbon-like nucleoli. Micronucleus single, spherical. by Petz et al. (1995) by smaller cell size and somatic Contractile vacuole in posterior body end. rows number (40-80 versus 52-114) and (55-60 versus Our specimens show morphological character- 50-75). Additionally, our specimens somewhat differ istics, which correspond to the species described by by the arrangement of brosse rows. Foissner et al. (1999). 110 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Fig. 5. A-B – Paraspathidium fuscum (Kahl, 1928) (after silver nitrate impregnation): A – general view, B – anterior end; C- D – Fuscheria marina Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995 (after silver nitrate impregnationC ( ) and Feulgen nuclear reaction (D). Abbreviations: CB – cytopharyngeal basket; DB – dorsal brush; PS – perioral ciliary corona; CK – circumoral kinety; Ma – macronuclei, Mi – micronucleus; CV – contractile vacuole; Ph.p – pharyngeal plug.

It had not been found in the marine biotopes be- family as having excavated oral opening, dikinet- fore our investigation. idal perioral cilature and two or three rowed brush. Below, we describe P.fuscum, which was found in the Family Paraspathidiidae Foissner, 1997 marine sediments on the Mexican Gulf near Port Paraspathidium fuscum (Kahl, 1928) (Fig. 5, A-B; Aransas city. Plate 1, D; Table 9). Alive specimens 210-350 × 40-60 µm, after fixa- For the first time the family Paraspathidiidae was tion 180-260 × 30-45 µm. Length: width ratio vari- mentioned by Jankowski (1975). However he provid- able – our specimens usually 4:1 – 7:1. In vivo very ed the name only, i.e. did not characterize it. Thus, it flexible and high contractile especially anterior half. was a nomen nudum and later Foissner (1997) estab- Oral zone apical, ellips-shape. Circumoral kinety lished Paraspathidiidae and characterized this new at base of oral dome. There is a cytopharyngeal basket.

Table 9. Morphometric characteristics of Paraspathidium fuscum (Kahl, 1928)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 287.143 300.0 46.085 17.418 16.049 210.0 350.0 10 Body width 52.857 55.0 8.092 3.058 15.309 40.0 60.0 10 Macronucleus nodule length 26.286 27.0 4.112 1.554 15.643 20.0 30.0 7 Micronucleus diameter 4.857 5.0 0.900 0.340 18.530 4.0 6.0 7 Somatic kineties number 30.714 30.0 0.951 0.360 3.096 30.0 32.0 7 Macronuclear nodule number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Micronuclei number 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 1.0 7 Protistology • 111

Dorsal brush located at dorsal anterior end of animal Endoplasm transparent often light brown and con- and consists of two rows dikinetids. Somatic ciliature sists food vacuoles with flagellates.Macronucleusellip- consists of 30-32 bipolar rows. Somatic rows around soid with numerous nucleoli. Micronucleus invisible. the oral area form a perioral ciliary corona (terminol- Our specimens differ from original description ogy by Foissner, 1997), with dikinetids. All the other by somewhat smaller cell size (80×30 versus 100×40) areas are covered with simple monokinetids. and lower somatic rows number (32-35 versus 34-39). Endoplasm highly granulated, dark usually with refractive inclusions, especially oral area. Two oval Lacrymaria delmarei Dragesco, 1960 (Fig. 6, A; macronuclei with single micronucleus. Plate 1, F; Table 11). Our specimens differ from P.fuscum from French This species for the first time was described from Atlantic coast (Foissner, 1997) by smaller size and French Atlantic coast (Dragesco, 1960), then record- two times lower number of somatic rows. ed from the Brasilian coast (Kattar, 1970) and Saudi Arabian Gulf shore (Al-Rasheid, 2000). Below, we Fusheria marina Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995 give short description L.delmarei found in the psam- (Fig. 5, C-D; Plate 1, E; Table 10). mon on the Texas coast near port Aransas city. This species for the first time was found in the Alive species 140-170 µm, after fixations up 130 pancake sea ice of Weddel Sea (Antarctica) (Petz et µm. Body flack-shaped has well distinct pharyngeal al., 1995) and as far as we know, it had not been found plug and neck. Apical cytostome equipped with long in other regions before our investigation. Below, we trichites. Somatic kineties spiraling numbering 32-38. give short morphological description of Fusheria Endoplasm colorless, usually yellowish, con- marina found on the periphyton of the ship channel tains numerous food vacuoles with flagellates. rocks of Port Aransas city. Macronucleus ovoid (17 µm) with single micronucle- Alive specimens 80 × 30 µm, after fixation up us. Contractile vacuole terminal. 65 x 20 µm. Outline oval. Cytostome apical, of- Our specimens show morphological character- ten with several (3-5) pharyngeal low projections. istics, which correspond to the species described by Cytostome has toxicysts, nematodesmata originate Dragesco (1960) and Al-Rasheid (2000). from circumoral kinety. Somatic ciliature consists of 32-35 bipolar rows Order Synhymeniida Puytorac et al., 1974 composed of monokinetids only 1 or 2 circumoral Zosterodasys texensis sp. n. (Fig. 6, B; Table 12). kineties (adesmokineties) composed of dikinetids. Diagnosis. In vivo about 180-230 × 55-65 µm. Dorsal brosse formed of two different length diki- Outline elongate elliptical. 47 ventral, 36 dorsal kine- netids rows, started near cytostome and ended about ties. Synhymenium restricted to ventral surface, with ¼ body length. 85-88 double kinetosome groups. 18-22 nematodes-

Table 10. Morphometric characteristics of Fusheria marina Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 54.286 50.0 19.276 7.286 35.508 30.0 80.0 10 Body width 26.429 25.0 3.780 1.429 14.302 20.0 30.0 10 Macronucleus length 29.286 30.0 3.450 1.304 11.780 25.0 35.0 7 Somatic rows number 33.714 34.0 1.380 0.522 4.093 32.0 35.0 7 Cytostome diameter 3.714 4.0 0.488 0.184 13.139 3.0 4.0 7 Pharyngeal projections number 41.143 4.0 0.900 0.340 2.187 3.0 5.0 7

Table 11. Morphometric characteristics of Lacrymaria delmarei Dragesco, 1960

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 157.143 160.0 11.127 4.206 7.081 140.0 170.0 10 Body width 46.667 47.5 4.082 1.667 8.747 40.0 50.0 10 Somatic kineties number 35.429 35.0 2.699 1.020 7.618 32.0 38.0 7 Macronucleus length 14.286 14.0 2.138 0.808 14.966 12.0 17.0 7 Head with pharyngeal plug length 13.286 13.0 1.380 0.522 10.387 12.0 15.0 7 112 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Fig. 6. A – Lacrymaria delmarei Dragesco, 1960 (after silver nitrate impregnation); B – Zosterodasys texensis sp. n. (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: Ph.p – pharyngeal plug; H – head; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronucleus; N – nasse; Cp.B – cytopharyngeal basket; S – synhymenium; CV – contractile vacuole. mata. Macronucleus bean-shape. Several contractile Synhymenium 65-70 µm long, restricted to ventral vacuoles. Marine. surface consisting of 67 (ventral) and 20 (dorsal) Type location. On the aquatic plants in the shal- double kinetosome groups. low bays of desalinize marine water reserve territory Somatic ciliature more or less uniformly dis- near Port Aransas city. tributed on ventral and dorsal surface. Ventral side Type specimens. 1 holotype and 2 paratype as 2 with 45-47 kineties arranged longitudinally be- slides of protargol impregnated cells have been de- tween synhymenium and posterior pole. On ante- posited. rior part, between cell apex and synhymenium, ki- Description. Body elongate, slightly compressed neties curve around nasse. On dorsal surface 30-36 dorsoventrally. Nasse with 18-22 nematodesmata. kineties present.

Table 12. Morphometric characteristics of Zosterodasys texensis sp. n.

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 210.0 220.0 20.0 7.359 9.524 180.0 230.0 10 Body width 61.429 60.0 3.780 1.429 6.153 55.0 65.0 10 Nematodesma number 20.143 20.0 1.676 0.634 8.321 18.0 22.0 7 Nematodesmata length 61.143 60.0 3.532 1.335 5.777 55.0 65.0 7 Cytostome diameter 12.429 12.0 1.618 0.612 13.018 10.0 14.0 7 Ventral kineties number 46.143 47.0 1.069 0.404 2.317 45.0 47.0 7 Dorsal kineties number 34.143 36.0 2.854 1.079 8.359 30.0 36.0 7 Synhimenium dikinetids number (ventral) 66.857 67.0 1.345 0.508 2.012 65.0 68.0 7 Synhimenium dikinetids number (dorsal) 19.429 20.0 0.787 0.297 4.051 18.0 20.0 7 Protistology • 113

Fig. 7. A-B – Zosterodasys minor sp. n. (after protargol impregnation: A – ventral side; B – dorsal side: C – Dysteria procera Kahl, 1931: left side view after protargol impregnation. Abbreviations: N – nasse; Nem – nematodesmata; S – synhymenium; Cp.B – cytopharyngeal basket; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronucleus; CV – contractile vacuoles; Lf – left frontal kineties; Pr – preoral kinety; Tf – terminal fragment; CO – circumoral kineties; Cph – cytopharyngeal rods; VK – ventral kineties; EF – equatorial fragment; P – podite.

Endoplasm colorless with numerous food vacu- ventrally flattened. Left anterior border with a clear- oles with diatoms and flagellates. Macronucleus ly defined protuberance and a fold below it. Nasse bean-shaped with single spherical micronucleus. with 14-16 nematodesmata. Synhymenium arranged Comparison with related species. obliquely to main axis of the cell, interrupting prac- After latest revision, 16 valid species were included tically all ventral kineties. 33-36 somatic kineties on into the genus Zosterodasys (Fernandez-Leborans and equator, 21 of them ventral. Macronucleus elliptic Alekperov, 1996). Additionally Zosterodasys transver- (15 µm), micronucleus spherical. Several contractile sus (Kahl, 1928) was re-described by Foissner et al. vacuoles. Marine. (1994) and Zosterodasys kryophilus described from Type location. Sediments on the sand beach near Weddel Sea (Petz et al., 1995). In all there are only 5 Marine Science Institute building. marine Zosterodasys species known. Type specimens. A holotype as a slide of protargol Our Z.texensis sp. n. clearly differs from Z.caspica impregnated cells has been deposited. Fern.-Leb. and Alek., 1996, Z.agamalievi Deroux, 1978 Description. Outline elongated with anterior pro- and Z.cantabrica Fern.-Leb. and Alek., 1996 by more tuberance and fold on the left anterior border. Nasse than two times bigger cell size and higher number of located in the middle zone of anterior part of body nematodesmata. Only Z.caspica has 17 nematodes- with 14-16 nematodesmata. Synhymenium arranged mata. Marine Zosterodasys kryophilus Petz et al., 1995 obliquely to main axis and consists of 43 ventral also has smaller cell size (100-170 versus 180-230 µm) double kinetosome and 16 dorsal. Somatic ciliature and number of somatic rows (57 versus 83). consists of 18 ventral and 16-18 dorsal rows. The single specimen of Zosterodasys sp. found by Endoplasm transparent light brown with several Agatha et al. (1993) in Arctic Sea ice differs from our food vacuoles usually with flagellates. Macronucleus Z.texensis sp. n. by lower number of somatic rows (40- elliptic with single spheroid micronucleus located 50 versus 83) and nematodesmata (11 versus 18-22). close to macronucleus. Several contractile vacuoles located mainly at the posterior body part. Zosterodasys minor sp. n. (Fig. 7, A-B; Plate 2, A; Comparison with related species. Our Z.minor Table 13). sp. n. differs from all known marine representatives Diagnosis. In vivo about 50-60 × 30-40 µm, after of this genus by its small cell size and lower number fixation 35-50 × 20-30 µm. Outline elongated dorso- of nematodesmata and somatic rows. From all other 114 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Plate 2. A – Zosterodasys minor sp. n.; B - Dysteria procera Kahl, 1931; C - Discotricha papillifera Tuﬀrau, 1954; D - Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1838); E - Pelagostrombidium neptuni (Montagnes and Taylor, 1994); F - Strombidinopsis elongata Song and Bradbury, 1998) (A-F – protargol impregnation).

Zosterodasys species our Z.minor sp. n. clearly differs This species has been redescribed using silver by its left anterior border protuberance and a fold be- impregnation methods by Chinese ciliatologists low it. from the Yellow Sea coast (Gong and Song, 2003). Before our investigations Zosterodasys with small Below, we describe this species found in periphyton cell size, low number of somatic rows, nematodesma- of the ship channel stones near Institute of Marine ta and cell outline like Zosterodasys minor had not Research building. been described. Alive specimens 80-120 × 30-40 µm, fixed cells 60- 90 × 20-30 µm. Body elongated and slender in outline Order Cyrtophorida Fauré-Fremiet in Corliss, 1956 shape, dorsoventrally flattened. There are three ventral Family Dysteriidae Claparede and Lachmann, kineties in the right field, with the right two extending 1858. apically on the upper cytostome level and bending to Dysteria procera Kahl, 1931 (Fig. 7, C; Plate 2, B; the dorsal side. Left of them is shortened ending on the Table 14). equatorial level. One short (consist of 18-21 kineto- Protistology • 115

Table 13. Morphometric characteristics of Zosterodasys minor sp. n.

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 58.143 60.0 5.984 2.262 10.292 50.0 60.0 10 Body width 34.286 35.0 4.499 1.700 13.122 30.0 40.0 10 Cytostome, diameter 6.0 6.0 1.155 0.436 19.25 5.0 8.0 7 Nematodesmata number 14.857 15.0 0.9 0.340 6.058 14.0 16.0 7 Nematodesmata length 19.286 19.0 1.496 0.565 7.757 18.0 22.0 7 Ventral kineties number 20.286 20.0 0.756 0.286 3.727 19.0 21.0 7 Dorsal kineties number 15.667 16.0 0.516 0.211 3.294 15.0 16.0 6 Synhimenium dikinetids number (ventral side) 41.714 42.0 1.113 0.421 2.668 40.0 43.0 7 Synhimenium dikinetids number (dorsal side) 15.429 15.0 0.787 0.297 5.101 15.0 17.0 7 Macronucleus length 13.0 13.0 1.155 0.436 8.885 12.0 15.0 7

Table 14. Morphometric characteristics of Dysteria procera Kahl, 1931

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 98.571 100.0 13.452 5.084 13.647 80.0 120.0 10 Body width 35.714 35.0 4.499 1.700 12.597 30.0 40.0 10 Ventral kineties number 3.0 3.0 0 0 0 3.0 3.0 7 Ventral kineties that extend apically, number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Basal bodies equatorial fragment number 19.286 19.0 1.113 0.421 5.771 18.0 21.0 7 Basal bodies in terminal fragment, number 6.714 7.0 0.488 0.184 7.268 6.0 7.0 7 Macronucleus length 36.0 36.0 2.236 0.845 6.211 32.0 38.0 7 somes) equatorial fragment. At the same level there Uronema paramarinum Petz, Song and Wilbert, are genus typical 7-8 short rows of kinetosomes in left 1995 (Fig. 8, A; Table 15). equatorial field. Podite-attachment organelle distally This species was found in the Weddel Sea– pointed, posteriorly on right ventral side. Antarctica region (Petz et al., 1995) and before our Cytostome in anterior. Cyrtos narrow. Arrange- investigation had not been recorded from other re- ment of oral kineties typical of genus: one double gions. We found U.paramarinum in the plankton rowed preoral kinety, located dorsally to cytostome, samples from ship channel near Marine Sciences three single-rowed short left frontal kineties, and Institute building. two circumoral kineties. Its arrangement somewhat Alive specimens 40-60 × 15-35 µm, after fixation differs from specimens described from Yellow Sea 30-50 × 12-25 µm. Body drop-shaped. Anterior end (Gong and Song, 2003). Long cytopharynx slender pointed. Buccal cavity located on the anterial part of and strait, longitudinally oriented, extended posteri- the ventral side. Buccal ciliature typical of Uronema. orly more than 80% of cell length. L-shaped undulating membrane (paroral mem- Endoplasm colorless to grayish with 3-8 food vac- brane) composed of zigzag row of basal bodies and uoles. Two contractile vacuoles located ventrally. located on the right margin of buccal cavity. M1 and Macronucleus ellipsoidal, heteromerous, about M2 membranelles are single-rowed and consist of 5 38 µm length and positioned in mid-body. basal bodies each (M2 is L-shaped), M3 membranelle Our specimens D.procera Kahl, 1931 show mor- is double-rowed, it consists of 4 pairs of basal bodies. phological characteristics which correspond to the Cytostome on the left margin of buccal cavity. species described earlier by Chinese ciliatologists Somatic ciliature composed of 13-15 bipolar rows (Gong and Song, 2003) differing only by the arrange- of dikinetids 8 of them on the ventral side. Silverlines ment of two circumoral kineties. along somatic kineties. Scutica located under undulating membrane and consists of a row of four and to Order Scuticociliatida Small, 1967 the right of these two basal bodies. Nuclei typical of Family Uronematidae Thompson, 1964 Uronema situated in mid-body. 116 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Fig.8. A – Uronema paramarinum Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995: ventral side after silver nitrate impregnation; B – Discotricha papillifera Tuﬀrau, 1954: right side after protargol impregnation. Abbreviations: Um – undulating (paroral) membrane; M1, M2, M3 – adoral membranelles; Cs – cytostome; Cp – cytoproct; S – scutica; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronucleus; Cph.B – cytopharyngeal basket; PM – paroral membrane; PB1, PB2 – post-buccal kineties; K1-K2 – somatic kineties; EP – pore of contractile vacuole.

Table 15. Morphometric characteristics of Uronema paramarinum Petz, Song and Wilbert, 1995

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 51.429 55.0 9.449 3.571 18.373 40.0 60.0 10 Body width 25.0 25.0 7.071 2.673 28.284 15.0 35.0 10 Somatic kineties number 14.143 14.0 0.900 0.340 6.364 13.0 15.0 7 Macronucleus diameter 16.714 17.0 1.380 0.522 8.257 15.0 18.0 7

Table 16. Morphometric characteristics of Discotricha papillifera Tuﬀrau, 1954

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 52.143 55.0 7.559 2.857 14.497 40.0 60.0 10 Body width 39.286 40.0 4.499 1.700 11.452 35.0 45.0 10 Kineties on right side number 9.0 9.0 0 0 0 9.0 9.0 7 Kinetids in paroral membrane, number 4.0 4.0 0 0 0 4.0 4.0 7 Kinetids in kinety 1, number 19.286 20.0 0.951 0.360 4.931 18.0 20.0 7 Kinetids in post-buccal kinety 2, number 9.286 9.0 0.488 0.184 5.255 9.0 10.0 7 Macronucleus length 11.571 12.0 0.787 0.297 6.801 10.0 12.0 7

Our specimens show morphological character- Discotricha papillifera Tuffrau, 1954 (Fig. 8, B; istics which correspond to the species described in Plate 2, C; Table 16). original description (Petz et al., 1995). Alive species 40-60 µm, after fixation usually Family Microthoracidae Wrzesniowski, 1870 up to 45 µm. Body bean-shape, laterally flattened. Protistology • 117

Fig. 9. A-B – Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1838) (ventral side after protargol impregnation); C – Pelagostrombidium neptuni (Montagnes and Taylor, 1994) (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: AZM – adoral zone of membranelles; UM – undulating membrane; SR – somatic rows; CG – cortical granules; PB – peristomial bottom; IM – internal polykinetids; EM – external polykinetids; K1-K5 – somatic kineties; Em – endoral membrane; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronuclei.

Table 17. Morphometric characteristics of Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1838)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 125.714 120.0 27.603 10.433 21.957 90.0 160.0 10 Body width 94.286 90.0 19.024 7.190 20.177 70.0 120.0 10 Adoral membranelles number 50.0 50.0 4.082 1.543 8.164 45.0 55.0 7 Somatic ciliary rows number 35.571 35.0 2.070 0.782 5.819 32.0 38.0 7 Macronucleus nodules number 10.286 10.0 1.704 0.644 16.566 8.0 12.0 7 On the right lateral side 9 kineties. Our specimens (1965) found it in marine sand at Port-Etienne have lesser density of kinetosomes in kinety 2 than (Mouritania), then Fenchel (1968) observed a few specimens of D.papillifera described in the literature. specimens in the Øresund (Danmark). Wicklow and The cytostome with circular cytopharynx occupies Borror (1977) and Borror (1980) found D.papillifera mid-body part. There are three adoral membranelles near mean tidal level at Foss beach (New Hampshire).

(M1, M2, M3) on the left of the cytostome and paroral Small et al. (1985) found D.papillifera from fine ma- membranes near the cytostome, which is typical of rine sands of Tom’s Cove, Assateague Island, Virginia microthoracids. (USA) and Sudzuki (1979) found this species from On the left lateral side there is only one frontal Japan. Foissner (1997) found D.papillifera in coastal ciliary row and sparse kinetids mainly unciliated. marine sands at Roscoff (France) where it occurred Endoplasm transparent without conclusions. Very together with many karyorelictids. rarely, we observed specimens D.papillifera with dia- Likewise we found D.papillifera in fine marine toms in the food vacuoles. sands near Marine Research Institute building. Macronucleus bean-shape (12 µm) with nucleoli. According to Foissner (1997) D.papillifera is very Class Polyhymenophora Jankowski, 1967 likely a rare species, because it has been discovered Order Heterotrichida Stein, 1859 rather recently and, since then had been only several Family Condylostomatidae Kahl in Dofflein and times recorded (before our investigations). Reichenow, 1927 Tuffrau (1954) discovered this species in marine Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1838) (Fig. 9, sands near Concarneau (France). Later Dragesco A-B; Plate 2, D; Table 17). 118 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Table 18. Morphometric characteristics of Pelagostrobilidium neptuni (Montagnes and Taylor, 1994)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 72.857 70.0 9.063 3.426 12.439 60.0 85.0 10 Body width 55.0 55.0 7.071 2.673 12.856 45.0 65.0 10 External membranelles number 49.0 50.0 2.236 0.845 4.563 45.0 52.0 7 Internal membranelles number 2.714 3.0 0.488 0.184 17.981 2.0 3.0 7 Macronucleus length 36.667 35.0 2.582 1.054 7.042 35.0 40.0 6 Macronucleus number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7

This species, named formerly Condylostoma vor- Family Strobilidiidae Kahl in Doflein and ticella Ehr., 1833 was erected to the genus Linostoma Reichenow, 1929 by Jankowski (1978). But Linostoma Jankowski, 1978 Pelagostrobilidium neptuni (Montagnes and is a homonym, discovered by Aescht. She replaced it Taylor, 1994) (Fig. 8, C; Plate 2, E; Table 18). by Lynostomella nov.nom. For nomenclatural pur- This new genus was established for species “with poses the replacement name and the species have to longitudinal and transversely arched somatic kine- be cited as “Linostomella Aesht it Foissner, Berger ties which do not form a spiral at posterior pole” and Schaumburg, 1999” and “Linostomella vorticel- (Petz et al., 1995). According to Agatha et al. (2005) la (Ehrenberg, 1833) Aescht in Foissner, Berger and since the genus was established, one further species Schaumburg, 1999”. has been described, and now the genus includes three Before our investigation L.vorticella was mainly species: P.spirale (Leegaard, 1915) (Petz et al., 1995; found in freshwater sometimes in saline inland wa- P.neptuni (Montagnes and Taylor, 1994) Petz, Song ters, but not marine habitat. and Wilbert, 1995 and P.simile Song and Bradbury, Below we describe Linostomella vorticella found 1998. Below, we describe P.neptuni, which was found in marine plankton of Aransas National Wildlife in main plankton samples near Port Aransas city. Refuge. Alive specimens 60-85 × 45-65 µm, fixed cell 40- Alive specimens size 90-160 × 70-120 µm, after 70 × 30-50 µm. Overall shape subspherical, bowl- fixation usually 70-130 × 50-100 µm. Body ellip- like, posteriorly broadly rounded. Transverse sec- soidal in the old culture to spherical, rounded on tion circular. External (collar) membranelles (45-52 anterior and posterior ends. Ventral anterior half in number) consist of rows, 3 basal bodies in each; with wide peristome. Its all anterior and left ventral the cilia are up to 65 µm long. There are two or three margins are occupied with adoral membranelles internal membranelles. Endoral membrane single- zone, consisting of about 50 membranelles. In the rowed in oral cavity. right peristomial bottom an undulating membrane Five somatic kineties with typical for this genus is situated. arrangement of somatic kineties commence about 25 Somatic ciliature consists of about 35 longitudinal µm posterior to anterior body end. to slightly spirally rows. Between ciliary rows there Endoplasm brown with green inclusions and 3-8 are colorless cortical granules arranged in stripes. food vacuoles with diatoms. Endoplasm light brown with several food vacu- Macronucleus C-shaped, transversely oriented oles often with small oligotrich ciliates. Contractile underneath external membranelles, contains nu- vacuoles in posterior end. merous globular nucleoli. There are two ellipsoidal Macronucleus moniliform near mid-body and micronuclei. composed of 8-12 (usually 10) ellipsoidal nodules. For the first time P.neptuni was found in sur- Our specimens of Linostomella vorticella are face waters off the Canadian west coast (British more similar to these described by Foissner et al. Columbia) (Montagnes and Taylor, 1994). Then (1999), especially in adoral membranelles number this species was also found in the spring plankton (45 our specimens, 40-50 according to Foissner et al. of the Weddel Sea, Antarctica (Petz et al., 1995) and (1999), versus 19-22 according to Tuffrau (1967) and Agatha et al. (2005) discovered P.neptuni from the Dragesco (1970). North Sea, Irish Sea and Mediterranian Sea. In our opinion, this widely distributed marine species is Class Oligotrichea Bütschli, 1889 very likely cosmopolitan. Order Choreotrichida Small and Lynn, 1985 Family Strombidinopsidae Small and Lynn, 1985 Protistology • 119

Fig. 10. A – Strombidinopsis elongata Song and Bradbury, 1998 (after protargol impregnation); B – Strombidinopsis magna sp. n. (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: EM – external membranells; IM – internal membranells; E – endoral membrane; SK – somatic kineties; Ma – macronuclei; Mi – micronuclei.

Strombidinopsis elongata Song and Bradbury, Alive species 90-130 × 45-60 µm, ﬁxed cells – 70- 1998 (Fig. 10, A; Plate 2, F; Table 19). 105 × 30-45 µm. Body shape elongate conical or This species for the ﬁrst time was found in ma- cylindrical. Anterior end truncated. Endoral mem- rine plankton of coastal waters in Northern China brane in the buccal cavity. There are 15-18 external (Song and Bradbury, 1998) and as far as we know, it membranelles and 1-2 internal ones. Somatic cilia- had not been reported from other regions before our ture contains 12-14 longitudinal somatic kineties, investigation. Below, we describe S.elongata found in each of them consisting of 16-18 dikinetids (in origi- marine plankton of ship channel near Port Aransas nal description 35-40 dikinetids). city. Endoplasm transparent rarely with 3-5 food vac-

Table 19. Morphometric characteristics of Strombidinopsis elongata, Song and Bradbury, 1998

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 105.714 100.0 15.119 5.714 14.302 90.0 130.0 10 Body width 50.714 50.0 5.345 2.020 10.539 45.0 60.0 10 External membranelles number 16.857 17.0 1.215 0.459 7.208 15.0 18.0 7 Internal membranelles number 1.857 2.0 0.378 0.143 20.355 1.0 2.0 7 Somatic kineties number 13.286 14.0 0.951 0.360 7.158 12.0 14.0 7 Basal bodies number in somatic kineties 19.429 20.0 1.718 0.649 8.842 17.0 21.0 7 Macronucleus segment number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Micronuclei number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 120 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Table 20. Morphometric characteristics of Strombidinopsis magna sp. n.

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 165.714 170.0 16.183 6.117 9.766 140.0 180.0 10 Body width 69.286 70.0 10.965 4.144 15.826 55.0 80.0 10 External membranelles number 38.286 38.0 1.890 0.714 4.937 35.0 40.0 7 Internal membranelles number 1.714 2.0 0.488 0.184 28.471 1.0 2.0 7 Somatic kineties number 21.0 21.0 1.0 0.378 4.762 20.0 22.0 7 Basal bodies number in somatic kineties 32.714 33.0 2.138 0.808 6.535 30.0 35.0 7 Macronucleus segment number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Micronuclei number 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 1.0 7 Macronucleus length 26.571 25.0 2.370 0.896 8.919 25.0 30.0 7 uoles containing diatoms and flagellates. There are Endoplasm usually transparent, colorless, with 5- two bean-shaped or elliptic macronuclei located in 12 brownish vacuoles with diatoms and algae. midbody with associations with corresponding small Two ovoid or spherical macronucleus (25 µm) spherical micronuclei. with single micronucleus. Our specimens differs from original description Comparison with related species. Our Strombi- mainly by twice lower number of dikinetids in the dinopsis magna sp. n. clearly differs from all known somatic row and two micronuclei not observed in the Strombidinopsis species by its giant size. Most repre- Chinese population (Song and Bradbury, 1998). sentatives of Stombidiopsis have size about 18-50 µm, rarely – up to 80-90 µm. Only Strombidinopsis elon- Strombidinopsis magna sp. n. (Fig. 10, B; Table 20). gata Song and Bradbury, 1998, has cell size 80-110 µm Diagnosis. Large sized marine Strombidinopsis in (versus 140-180 µm). But later species clearly differ vivo 140-180 × 55-80 µm, after fixation – 110-150 × from our S.magna sp. n. by lower number of external 40-60 µm. Conical body with pointed caudal end; membranelles (19-24 versus 35-40) and somatic rows 35-40 external membranelles, 1-2 internal ones. 20- (11-15 versus 20-22). Additionally our species differ 22 evenly distributed somatic kineties with 30-35 from S.elongata by the arrangement of nuclei. dikinetids in each row; two macronucleus with single micronuclei. Order Oligotrichida Bütschli, 1889 Type specimens. One holotype as a slide Tex. N12 Family Strombidiidae Fauré-Fremiet, 1970 of protargol impregnated cells. Parallelostrombidium rhyticollare (Corliss and Description. Alive specimens 120-180 × 55- Snyder, 1986) (Fig. 11, A; Plate 3, A-B; Table 21). 70 µm, fixed cells up 145 × 45 µm. Body shape elon- Taxonomy of the many oligotrichs species has un- gated, moderately conoid Anterior truncated. Buccal dergone many changes and is being developed at the cavity shallow, rounded with 35-40 external (collar) present time. For example, Corliss and Snyder (1986) polykinetids (membranelles) and 1-2 internal ones. for the first time described new species Strombidium Paroral membrane single rowed. There are 20-22 lon- rhyticollare from Antarctica region. In nine years gitudinal somatic kineties, distributed evenly around this species was redescribed and transferred with cell, each of them composed of 30-35 dikinetids, usu- some other species to the Spirostrombidium genus ally with two cilia from 2-5 µm long. according to the spiraling course of the equato-

Table 21. Morphometric characteristics of Parallelostrombidium rhyticollare (Corliss and Snyder, 1986)

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 198.857 200.0 13.801 5.216 6.940 170.0 200.0 10 Body width 65.714 50.0 23.703 8.959 36.070 60.0 140.0 10 Anterior adoral membranelles number 38.571 39.0 1.618 0.612 4.195 36.0 40.0 7 Ventral adoral membranelles number 14.429 15.0 1.813 0.685 12.565 12.0 16.0 7 Macronucleus length 55.0 55.0 4.082 1.543 7.422 50.0 60.0 7 Protistology • 121

Fig. 11. A – Parallelostrombidium rhyticollare (Corliss and Snyder, 1986) (after protargol impregnation); B – Laboea strobila Lohman, 1908 (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: AM – adoral membranelles; VM – ventral membranelles; PM – paroral membrane; EK – equatorial kinety; VK – ventral kinety; Ex – extrusomes; Ma – macronuclei; GK – girdle kinety; OF – oral fibres. rial kinety (Petz et al., 1995). But later on (Agatha, Macronucleus elongated with nucleoli, left of ven- 2004b) these species were included into the new tral adoral membranelles, with single micronucleus. Parallelostrombidium genus with type species Our specimens is closely related to P.rhyticollare P.rhyticollare (Corliss and Snyder, 1986). (Corliss and Snyder, 1986) differs from it only by bigger Diagnosis of this new genus is as follows: Ventral cell size (170-200 versus 90-134). From description of this kinety follows posterior portion of dextrally spi- species found later (Petz et al., 1995) our P.rhyticollare raled girdle kinety, thus, both with same orientation. specimens differ mainly by the shape of macronucleus Below, we describe Parallelostrombidium rhyticollare (oval versus elongate to sausage-shape) and less ventral (Corliss and Snyder, 1986), which was found in the membranelles number (12-16 versus 22-40). main marine plankton samples of Mexican Gulf near Port Aransas city. Laboea strobila Lohman, 1908 (Fig. 11, B; Plate 3, Alive specimens about 170-200 × 60-140 µm, after C; Table 22). fixation – 145-180 × 40-100 µm. Outline elongate, fusi- According to Maeda and Carey (1985) the ge- form body tapering to a slightly curved point posteri- nus Laboea was established by Lohmann (1908) to orly. Anterior adoral membranelles number 36-40, each include those species that possessed polysacharide of them composed of 3 basal body rows. Ventral adoral plate or platelets. Later Fauré-Fremiet (1970) rede- membranelles number 12-16 continuous with anterior scribed this genus to include those animals which membranelles. There is a paroral membrane to the left of had a spiral form of polygonal cortical platelets. But, them. Equatorial and ventral kinety composed of diki- Maeda and Carey (1985) retained this species in the netids. Equatorial kinety starting near left margin of cell, genus Strombidium. it follows complete circle across ventral and dorsal side, Accordingly, modern data (Agatha et al., 2004) then moves posteriad spirally to end dorsally in longi- erected Laboea to the genus again and has given tudinal part. Ventral kinety follows posterior portion improved diagnosis by adding the number and di- of dextrally spiraled girdle kinety. Extrusomes not ob- rection of the spiral whorls performed by the girdle served in vivo. Endoplasm transparent, usually brown- kinety – “Strombidiidae with anterior and ventral ish. 1-8 food vacuoles with diatoms and dinoflagellates. membranellar zone and girdle kinety performing Contractile vacuole unknown. more than one sinistral turn around cell”. 122 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Plate 3. A - Parallelostrombidium rhyticollare (Corlis and Snyder, 1986); B – P.rhyticollare – arrangement ventral kinety; C - Laboea strobila Lohman, 1908; D - Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932 (ventral side); E - Euplotes minor sp. n. (ventral side); F - Euplotes minor sp. n. (dorsal side); (A-C – protargol impregnation; D – F – impregnated by silver nitrate).

Table 22. Morphometric characteristics of Laboea strobila Lohman, 1908

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 110.0 110.0 20.817 7.868 18.925 80.0 130.0 7 Body width 60.714 70.0 18.803 7.107 30.970 35.0 80.0 7 Anterior membranelles number 15.143 15.0 0.900 0.340 5.943 14.0 16.0 7 Ventral membranelles number 14.714 15.0 1.604 0.606 10.901 12.0 16.0 7 Macronuclear nodules number 62.143 65.0 13.496 5.101 21.718 40.0 60.0 7 Paroral membrane dikinetids number 29.714 30.0 2.059 0.778 6.929 27.0 32.0 7 Protistology • 123

Fig. 12. A – Tontonia turbinata Song and Bradbury, 1998 (after protargol impregnation); B – Paratontonia mononucleata sp. n. (after protargol impregnation); C – Tintinnopsis baltica Brandt, 1896 (after protargol impregnation). Abbreviations: AM – adoral membranelles; VM – ventral membranelles; PM – paroral membrane; GK – girdle kinety; TK – tail kinety; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronucleus; L – lorica; S – stalk; RCF – right ciliary field; LCF – left ciliary field; Lat.Cf – lateral ciliary field; VK – ventral kinety; PK – posterior kinety.

Below, we describe Laboea strobila Lohmann, Anterior and ventral membranellar zones dis- 1908, which was found in the main marine plankton tinctly separate. Anterior membranelles number – 14- samples near Port-Aransas city. 16, ventral membranelles – 12-16. Paroral membrane Alive specimens 80-130 × 35-80 µm, after ﬁxation extends on inner wall of buccal lip and composed of 60-100 × 20-60 µm. Cell with screw-like appearance 30 basal bodies. Oral ﬁbres located near lower part of due to spiral of girdle kinety in pointed abconical ventral membranelles and paroral membrane. posterior portion. Usually girdle kinety performs 5 Endoplasm colorless, sometimes brownish. whorls, consisting of dikinetids. Macronuclear nodules numerous (usually 40-60) 124 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Table 23. Morphometric characteristics of Tontonia turbinata Song and Bradbury, 1998

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 51.429 50.0 8.522 3.221 16.570 40.0 60.0 7 Body width 25.714 25.0 4.499 1.700 17.496 20.0 30.0 7 Anterior membranelles number 22.714 23.0 1.254 0.474 5.521 21.0 25.0 7 Ventral membranelles number 15.429 16.0 0.787 0.297 5.101 14.0 16.0 7 Tail length 134.286 140.0 7.868 2.974 5.847 120.0 140.0 7 Paroral membrane length 13.571 14.0 1.512 0.571 11.141 12.0 15.0 7 Macronuclear nodules number 44.571 48.0 6.373 2.409 14.299 35.0 50.0 7 with nucleoli. Contractile vacuoles and cytopyge not nelles prominent. Anterior adoral (collar) mem- observed. branelles number 21-25, each of them composed of Our specimens of L.strobila show morphological 3 basal body rows. Ventral (buccal) membranelles characteristics, which correspond to the species described number 14-16, clearly separate from anterior mem- from Northern Adriatic (Agatha et al., 2004) and Woods branelles. On the right of oral cavity located paroral Hole coast (Montagnes at el., 1988). Jamaican population membrane composed of the short dikinetids row. of this species (Lynn and Gilron, 1993) differs from our Girdle kinety containing closely spaced dikinet- specimens by lesser cell size (80-130 versus 44-63). ids, starting from mid-body on ventral side, curving Described earlier Laboea (Strombidium) strobila upper and across dorsal side and then around ventral from the Barents Sea (Alekperov and Mamajeva, surface again terminating at caudal end and prolon- 1992) clearly differs from all other populations of this gated as tail kinety, also composed of dikinetids. species by great length of the collar region and high Endoplasm transparent, often yellowish with number of ventral membranelles (27-30). In Agatha food vacuoles contains green algae. Contractile va- et al. (2004) opinion, these specimens possibly repre- cuoles not observed. sent a different species. Macronuclear nodules spherical, each containing a few globular nucleoli. Macronuclear nodules num- Family Tontoniidae Agatha, 2004 ber 35-50. Micronuclei not observed. Tontonia turbinata Song and Bradbury, 1998 Our specimens in general show morphological char- (Fig. 12, A; Table 23). acteristics, which correspond to the original descrip- This species was described for the first time from tion (Song and Bradbury, 1998). They differ by a higher coastal waters in North China. Below, we give a de- number of collar membranelles (21-25 versus 14-16) and scription of specimens found in the plankton of Ship some details of body shape and coursing of girdle kinety. Channel near Marine Science Institute building. The differences might be due to fixation results: a few of Alive specimens 40-60 × 20-30 µm, with long our specimens of T.turbinata were successfully fixed and belt-like tail about 120-140 µm, fixed cells about 30- their tail was contracted only a little. 50 × 15-20 µm, tail highly contracted appendix-shape at dorsal side. Paratontonia mononucleata sp. n. (Fig. 12, B; Oral cavity conspicuous. Adoral zone of membra- Table 24).

Table 24. Morphometric characteristics of Paratontonia mononucleata sp. n.

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 29.143 30.0 3.716 1.405 12.751 25.0 35.0 7 Body width 17.571 18.0 2.070 0.782 11.781 15.0 20.0 7 Paroral membrane length 5.714 5.0 0.951 0.360 16.643 5.0 7.0 7 Tail length 60.714 50.0 28.640 10.825 47.172 35.0 120.0 7 Anterior membranelles number 24.333 24.50 0.816 0.333 3.353 23.0 25.0 6 Ventral membranelles number 11.714 12.0 1.380 0.522 11.781 10.0 13.0 7 Macronuclear diameter 4.714 5.0 0.756 0.286 16.037 4.0 6.0 7 Protistology • 125

Table 25. Morphometric characteristics of Tintinnopsis baltica Brandt, 1896

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Lorica length 114.286 120.0 27.603 10.433 24.153 80.0 150.0 10 Lorica width 50.0 55.0 11.186 4.226 22.372 35.0 60.0 10 Body length 78.591 80.0 11.073 4.185 14.089 60.0 90.0 10 Body width 50.0 50.0 4.082 1.543 8.164 45.0 55.0 10 Anterior membranelles number 23.143 24.0 2.116 0.800 9.143 20.0 25.0 7 Ventral membranelles number 3.0 3.0 0 0 0 3.0 3.0 7 Right ciliary field (rows number) 8.429 9.000 0.787 0.297 9.337 7.0 9.0 7 Left ciliary field (rows number) 3.714 4.0 0.488 0.184 13.139 3.0 4.0 7 Lateral ciliary field (rows number) 18.286 19.0 2.059 0.778 11.260 15.0 20.0 7 Dikinetids of ventral kinety number 16.429 17.0 0.787 0.297 4.790 15.0 17.0 7

Dikinetids of K2 kinety number 9.286 10.0 0.951 0.360 10.241 8.0 10.0 7 Macronuclei number 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 2.0 2.0 7 Dikinetids of posterior kinety number 12.286 13.0 0.951 0.360 7.741 11.0 13.0 7

Accordingly improved by Agatha (2004) the diag- Endoplasm transparent often with food vacu- nosis of genus Paratontonia Jankowski, 1978 “Girdle oles contain flagellates. Contractile vacuoles not ob- kinety horizontally oriented on dorsal side, while served. kinety ends extend to posterior end of ventral side”. Macronucleus spherical (typical for species) with At the present time Paratontonia genus includes single micronucleus. only two species: type species – Paratontonia gracil- Comparison with related species: As far as we lima (Fauré-Fremiet, 1924) and Paratontonia poopsia known before our investigations tontoniids with (Montagnes and Lynn, 1988). single macronucleus had not been described. Our Below, we describe new Paratontonia mononucle- P.mononucleata sp. n. differs from other species by ata sp. n., which clearly differs from all known species double-edged ciliated tail margins. by single macronucleus. Diagnosis. Alive specimens 25-35 × 15-20 µm, Family Codonellidae Kent, 1881 fixed cells 15-20 × 10-15 µm. Body funnel-shaped. Tintinnopsis baltica Brandt, 1896 (Fig. 12, C; Tail up to 4 body length. Anterior membranelles Table 25). 23-25, ventral – 10-13. Girdle kinety horizontally At the present time there are 15 species of tintinnid orientated on the dorsal side and from left and right ciliates described from protargol stained specimens. margins of ventral side spirally continuous to the two According to Laval-Peuto and Brownlee (1986) tintin- tail kineties. All girdle kineties composed of dikinet- nid ciliates can be separated into 4 groups based on ids with 1 cilium each. No separate ventral row. One the kinetal density index (KDI) values, the length of macronucleus. Marine. the kineties and the position and construction of the Type location. Plankton of Ship Channel near oral apparatus. Described below T.baltica Braudt, 1896 Marine Science Institute building. included in the second group with a high KDI, special- Type specimens. A holotype as a slide of protargol ized ciliation and a mouth with slight ventralization. impregnated specimens have been deposited. Lorica size 80-150 × 35-60 µm. Lorica anterior Description. Alive specimens 25-35 × 15-20 µm, slightly obconical, posterior end conical, agglomer- body funnel shaped with long (up to 4-x body length) ated. Stalk attached cell to posterior end of lorica, flattened tail. Anterior adoral membranelles number contractile. 23-25, ventral membranelles number 10-13 situated Anterior membranelles number 20-25, ventral diagonally. Girdle kinety horizontally oriented on membranelles – 3. On the ventral body side there are the dorsal side and from the left and right margins of right ciliary fild, consisting of 7-9 kineties with diki- ventral side spirally hauling down to the caudal part netids, left ciliary fields with 3 kineties. There are also and continuous as tail kinety on the tail margins. All two ventral kineties – one longer with 15-17 dikinet- girdle kineties composed of dikinetids with 1 cilium ids (only posterior kinetosome ciliated) and shorter each. Long microfilaments located in the middle of kinety (K2 according Laval-Peuto and Brownlee, the tail manage the contraction of the tail. 1986) with 8-10 dikinetids. Between ventral kinety 126 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Fig. 13. A-B – Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932 (after protargol impregnation); C-D – Euplotes minor sp. n. (after silver nitrate impregnation). Abbreviations: FTC – frontoterminal cirri; TC – transverse cirri; CC – caudal cirri; AZM – adoral zone of membranelles; Ma – macronucleus; Mi – micronuclei; DK – dorsal kineties. Protistology • 127

Table 26. Morphometric characteristics of Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 70.0 70.0 5.473 2.236 7.819 65.0 80.0 10 Body width 47.143 45.0 2.673 1.010 5.670 45.0 50.0 10 Adoral membranelles number 51.0 51.0 1.00 0.578 1.961 45.0 52.0 7 Frontoventral cirri number 10.0 10.0 0 0 0 10.0 10.0 7 Transverse cirri number 5.0 5.0 0 0 0 5.0 5.0 7 Caudal cirri number 4.0 4.0 0 0 0 4.0 4.0 7 Dorsal kineties number 8.0 8.0 0 0 0 8.0 8.0 7 Dikinetids number in middorsal rows 12.143 12.0 1.676 0.634 13.802 10.0 14.0 7

Table 27. Morphometric characteristics of Euplotes minor sp. n

Character X¯ M SD SE CV Min Max n Body length 29.571 30.0 3.505 1.325 11.852 25.0 35.0 10 Body width 21.286 20.0 3.039 1.149 14.277 18.0 25.0 10 Adoral zone of membranelles length 18.429 18.0 1.618 0.612 8.780 16.0 21.0 7 Adoral membranelles number 24.714 25.0 1.380 0.522 5.584 23.0 25.0 7 Fronto-ventral cirri number 10.000 10.0 0 0 0 10.0 10.0 7 Transverse cirri number 5.000 5.0 0 0 0 5.0 5.0 7 Caudal cirri number 4.571 5.0 0.535 0.202 11.704 4.0 5.0 7 Dorso-lateral kineties number 4.000 4.0 0 0 0 4.0 4.0 7 Dikinetids number in middorsal row 7.857 8.0 0.378 0.143 4.811 7.0 8.0 7 and left ciliary field situated lateral ciliary field con- oles consists of small diatoms. The contractile vacu- sists of many (15-20) short and dense rows. ole lies in the right posterior part of the body, and the Endoplasm transparent, colorless, two more or pore is ventral. less oval macronuclei (10-12 µm) with two spherical The macronucleus is usually C-shaped. The- mi micronuclei (2-3 µm). cronucleus is small, spherical and adjacent to the Our specimens Tintinnopsis baltica Brandt, 1846 macronucleus. differ from those of the same species described by Our specimens E.cristatus Kahl, 1932 shows mor- Brownlee (1977) by higher number of anterior mem- phological characteristics, which correspond to the spe- branelles (20-25 versus 12-17) and lower number of cies described by Tuffrau (1960). This marine species right ciliary field rows (79 versus 21-24) and left ones was found in the periphyton at the Ship Channel stones (3 versus 6-9). We found T.baltica in the plankton not far from Marine research Institute building. samples near Marine Sciences Institute building. Euplotes minor sp. n. (Fig. 13, C-D; Plate 3, E-F; Order Hypotrichida Stein, 1859 Table 27). Family Euplotidae Ehrenberg, 1838 Diagnosis. Body length in vivo 25-35 × 18-25 µm, Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932 (Fig. 13, A-B; Plate 3, about hemispherical in cross-section, flattened dor- D; Table 26). so-ventrally. 10 frontoventral, 5 transverse and 4-5 Alive specimens 65-80 µm, after fixation up to caudal cirri, 4 dorsolateral kineties with 7-8 dikinet- 60 µm. Body shape ovoid, flattened dorsoventrally. ids in each, 23-25 adoral membranelles. Dorsal argy- Adoral membranelles zone possesses 45-52 elements. rome of the “double” type. Nuclear apparatus con- Adoral zone situated antero-dorsally on the left ven- sists of a C-shaped (20 µm) macronucleus (common tral margin. 10 fronto-ventral, 5 transverse and 4 for Euplotes) and one small, spherical micronucleus. caudal cirri. On the dorsal surface – 8 dorsolateral Marine species. kineties, with 10-14 dorsal bristles in each. Dorsal ar- Type location. Periphyton on the marine rocks gyrome – type “Vannus”. of the Mexican Gulf near Port Aransas city (South Endoplasm colorless, usually with 1-3 food vacu- Texas, USA). 128 • Ilham Alekperov, Edward Buskey and Nataly Snegovaya

Description. Small marine ciliates with ovoid Marine Wildlife Sanctuary on the Saudi Arabian body shape, flattened dorso-ventrally and hemi- Gulf shore. Fauna of Arabia. 18, 5-22. spherical in cross section. Ventral surface with 10 Alekperov I. 1992. New modification of impregna- frontoventral, 5 transverse and 4-5 caudal cirri. Near tion ciliates kinetome by silver proteinate. J. Zoology, each cirrus there are two up to five argirophil points. Moscow. 2, 130-133 (In Russian). Adoral zone of membranelles long (18 µm) situated Alekperov I. and Mamajeva N. 1992. Planktonic on left margin of ventral side and consisting of 23- infusoria from the Chuckchee and Bering seas. J. 25 elements. On dorsal surface 4 longitudinal dorsal Zoology, Moscow. 71, 5-14 (In Russian). ridges present. There are 4 dorso-lateral kineties with Borror A.C. 1963. Morphology and ecology of 6-8 dikinetids in each row. Dorsal argyrom of the the benthic ciliated protozoa of Alligator Harbor, ‘‘double’’ type. Florida. Arch. Protistenk. 106, 465-534. Endoplasm colorless containing 1-3 food vacu- Borror A.C. 1980. Spatial distribution of marine oles with flagellates or bacteria. Contractile vacuole ciliates: micro-ecologic and biogeographic aspects of at about the level of the transverse cirri. Slow move- protozoan ecology. J. Protozool. 27, 10-13. ment, crawling on substrate. Brownlee D. 1977. The significance of cytologi- Comparison with relates species. E.minor sp. n. cal characteristics as revealed by protargol silver is one of the smallest representative of the genus. It staining in evaluation of the systematics of the sub- clearly differs from all marine Euplotes species not order Tintinnina. Master. Thesis. Dep. Zool., Univ. only by small body size, but also by lowest number of Maryland, 1-146. dorso-lateral kineties and lowest dikinetids number Chatton E. and Lwoff A. 1930. Impregnation, par in middorsal row. diffusion argentique, de l’infraciliature des ciliés marins et d’eau douce, après fixation cytologique et sans dessication. C.R. Soc. Biol. Paris. 104, 834-836. Acknowledgments Corliss J.O. and Snyder R.A. 1986. A prelimi- nary description of several new ciliates from the Thestudywassupportedbythe"CRDFAzerbaijan – Antarcrica, including Cohnilembus grassei n. sp. US Bilateral Grants Programs" Project N 3100. Protistologica. 22, 39-46. Dragesco J. 1960. Les Ciliés mesopsammiques References littoraux (systematique, morphologie, ecologie. Trav. Station Biol. Roscoff. 12, 1-356. Agatha S., Spindler M. and Wilbert N. 1993. Dragesco J. 1965. Ciliés mesopsammiques Ciliated protozoa (Ciliophora) from Arctic sea ice. d’Afrique noire. Cah. boil. Mar. 6, 357-399. Acta Protozool. 32, 261-268. Dragesco J. 1970. Ciliés libres du Cameroun. Ann. Agatha S. 2004. Evolution of ciliary patterns in Sac. Sci, Univ. Fed. Cameroun (Yaounde), numero the Oligotrichida (Ciliophora, Spirotricha) and its hors-serie, 1-141. taxonomic implications. Zoology. 107, 153-168. Fauré-Fremiet E. and Ganier M.-C. 1970. Agatha S., Strüder-Kypke M.C. and Beran A. Structure fine du Strombidium sulcatum Cl. et L. 2004. Morphologic and genetic variability in the (Ciliata Oligotrichida). Protistologica. 6, 207-223. marine planktonic ciliate Laboea strobila Lohmann, Fernandez-Leborans G. and Alekperov I. 1996. 1908 (Ciliophora, Oligotrichia), with notes on its on- Revision of the genus Zosterodasys (Protozoa, togenesis. J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 51, 267-281. Ciliophora) with a description of a new species. Agatha S., Michaela C.S., Alfred B. and Lynn Zoosyst. Rossica, St.-Petersburg, Russia. 4, 4-16. D.H. 2005. Pelagostrobilidium neptuni (Montagnes Foissner W. 1996. Redescription of Remanella and Taylor, 1994) and Strombidium biarmatum nov. multinucleata (Kahl, 1933) nov. gen. nov. comb. (Cilio- spec. (Ciliophora, Oligotrichea): phylogenetic posi- phora, Karyorelictea) Emphasizing the Infraciliature tion inferred from morphology, ontogenesis, and and Extrusomes. Europ. J. Protistol. 32, 234-250. gene sequence data. Eur. J. Protistol. 39, 245-266. Foissner W. 1997. Faunistic and taxonomic studies Al-Rasheid Kh. 1998. Records of free-living ma- on Ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from Clean Rivers rine interstitial Karyorelictid ciliates from Jubail in Bavaria (Germany), with descriptions of new spe- Marine Wildlife Sanctuary in the Arabian Gulf-Shore cies and ecological notes. Limnologica. 27, 179-238. of Saudi Arabia. Arab.Gulf of Scientific Research. 16, Foissner W. 1997. Infraciliature and Systematic 595-610. Position of the Marine Interstitial Ciliates (Protozoa, Al-Rasheid Kh. 2000. Some marine interstitial Ciliophora) Lopezoterenia torpens (Kahl, 1933) nov. Prostomatida and Haptorida (Ciliata) from the Jubail gen., nov. comb., Discotricha papillifera Tuffrau, Protistology • 129

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Address for correspondence. Ilham Alekperov. Laboratory of Protistology, Institute of Zoology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, 370073. E-mail: [email protected]

Editorial responsibility: Sergei Fokin