The morphology of three marine heterotrichous ciliates, Condylostentor auriculatus (Kahl, 1932) Jankowski, 1978, Condylostoma minutum Bullington, 1940 and C. spatiosum Ozaki & Yagiu in Yagiu, 1944 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichida).

Abstract

The living morphology and infraciliature of three heterotrichous ciliates from the north China sea, Condylostentor auriculatus (Kahl, 1932) Jankowski, 1978, Condylostoma minutum Bullington, 1940 and C. spatiosum Ozaki and Yagiu in Yagiu, 1944, were investigated using protargol impregnation and in vivo observations. Based on the Qingdao population, an improved diagnosis of the poorly defined Condylostentor Jankowski, 1978 is suggested: free-swimming Stentoridae with deep, prominent vestibular cavity, apical boarder with conspicuous ventral groove; ciliature in Stentor-like pattern, i.e. ventral suture and contrast zone of somatic kineties present; adoral zone almost closed but interrupted on ventral side by a deep cleft, vestibulum kineties on vestibular cavity wall; paroral membrane present. A redescription of Condylostentor auriculatus, the type species, is also supplied. Condylostoma minutum is investigated for the first time using silver impregnation and an improved diagnosis is given based on three populations. New information about some details of the oral apparatus is supplied for a third species, Condylostoma spatiosum.