New contributions to two Heterotrichous ciliates, foliculina simplex (Dons, 1917), condylostoma curva Burkovsky, 1970 and one Licnophorid, Licrzophora lyrzgbycola Faur6-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 19 17), Condylostoma curva Burkovsky, 1970, and Licnophoru lyngbycola FaurC-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 kineties in mid-body; single ovoid to ellipsoid macronucleus and several micronuclei; lorica vase-shaped, about 150-250 pm long, often with jelly-like covering and inconspicuous neck; marine habitat. Improved diagnosis for Licnophora lynghycola: marine Licnophoru with cup-shaped body and glabrous adhesive disc with which the organism attaches to the filaments of the colonrless cyanobacterium Lyngbya; in vivo 80-130 pm long; about 140 adoral membranelles, one micronucleus and a single C-shaped, moniliform macronucleus consisting of about I4 nodules; two specialized dorsal kineties; five peripheral rings 011 adhesive disc, the 2nd, 3rd. and 5th (outermost) which are incomplete. Based on the Qingdao population, an improved diagnosis for Condylostorna curva is supplied: yellow-brownish Coizd~&moma with oval to elongated body shape; about 150-350 pm long in vivo; about 68-108 membranelles in adoral zone of rnembranelles, 4-8 frontal cirri, 22-32 somatic kineties; macronucleus moniliform with 5-1 3 nodules; with cortical granules; marine habitat.