New Contributions to Two Heterotrichous Ciliates, Folliculina simplex (Dons, 1917), Condylostoma curva Burkovsky, 1970 and One Licnophorid, Licnophora lyngbycola Fauré-Fremiet, 1937 (Protozoa, Ciliophora): Descriptions of Morphology and Infraciliature

Abstract

The living morphology and infraciliature of two heterotrichous and one licnophorid ciliates from the north China seas, i.e. Folliculina simplex (Dons 1917), Condylostoma curva Burkovsky, 1970, and Licnophora lyngbycola Fauré-Fremiet, 1937, were investigated using protargol impregnation and in vivo observations. Updated diagnoses and redescriptions of each species are provided. The improved diagnosis of Folliculina simplex is as follows: blue-greyish to blue-greenish Folliculina with broad and unequal-sized peristomial lobes: adoral zone of membranelles comprises about 400 membranelles and forms two-and-half turns within buccal cavity; paroral membrane extends entire length of adoral zone of membranelles; about 50 somatic kinetics in mid-body; single ovoid to ellipsoid macronucleus and several micronuclei; lorica vase-shaped, about 150-250 μm long, often with jelly-like covering and inconspicuous neck; marine habitat. Improved diagnosis for Licnophora lyngbycola: marine Licnophora with cup-shaped body and glabrous adhesive disc with which the organism attaches to the filaments of the colourless cyanobacterium Lyngbya; in vivo 80-130 μm long; about 140 adoral membranelles, one micronucleus and a single C-shaped, moniliform macronucleus consisting of about 14 nodules; two specialized dorsal kineties; five peripheral rings on adhesive disc, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th (outermost) which are incomplete. Based on the Qingdao population, an improved diagnosis for Coudylostoma curva is supplied: yellow-brownish Condylostoma with oval to elongated body shape; about 150-350 μm long in vivo; about 68-108 membranelles in adoral zone of membranelles, 4-8 frontal cirri, 22-32 somatic kinetics; macronucleus moniliform with 5-13 nodules; with cortical granules; marine habitat.