Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Part 17

No frontal, 5 a.n.a.l, 3 right, Genus *_Uronychia_ and 2 left marginal cirri

* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.

Genus EUPLOTES (Ehr. 1831) Stein '59.

(Ehrenberg '31, '38; Stein '59; Cl. & Lach. '58; Quennerstedt '65, '67, '69; Butschli '88; Kent '81; Gourret & Roeser '88; Mobius '88.)

Small to medium-sized forms. Rigid in form, colorless, or green by chlorophyl. They are quite flat on the ventral surface but decidedly arched dorsally, and the contour is usually oval. The anterior end is broadly rounded to truncate; the posterior end is similarly rounded, or may be somewhat pointed. The mouth is placed centrally or near the left margin, and from it the right edge of the peristome forms a curved line to the left, which bends forward, thus making the greater part of the left edge the peristomial area. In front the peristome bends sharply to the right and extends as far as the right end of the adoral zone. Upon the frontal and median ventral surface are 9 to 10 great cirri (_Bauchwimpern_ of Stein). Posteriorly five great a.n.a.l cirri stretch out beyond the posterior body margin. In addition to these there are two smaller marginal cirri upon the left body edge, and two similar ones on the hinder part of the body. The dorsal surface is rarely smooth, but usually is marked by longitudinal ridges, and rows of dorsal bristles have been described. The single contractile vacuole lies on the right side in the region of the a.n.a.l cirri, sometimes just above them, sometimes below. The a.n.u.s is posterior and on the right side. The characteristic macronucleus is long and band-form, its main portion being usually on the left side with an anterior and a posterior arm toward the right. Movement is rapid swimming, which, however, is frequently broken by creeping periods, during which the animals appear to be examining the foreign body on which they creep.

Fresh and salt water.

Euplotes charon Ehr. Fig. 52.

Synonyms: _Trichoda charon_ Muller; _Ploesconia charon_; _P.

affinis_, _subrotunda_, _radiosa_, _longiremis_, Dujardin '41.

The body is oval, small, and somewhat variable in length. The carapace is strongly marked upon the dorsal side by deep longitudinal grooves, 6 to 8 in number; the grooves may be absent, however. The adoral zone extends to the posterior third of the body, the mouth and oesophagus are directed anteriorly. There are 10 ventral cirri, 7 of which are on or near the frontal border and 3 near the right edge. There are 5 posterior cirri and 4 a.n.a.l cirri, of much smaller size. The cirri may or may not be fimbriated, the latter condition indicating the approaching disintegration of the body and is abnormal. The macronucleus is long and band-formed or horseshoe shape. The contractile vacuole lies on the right side dorsal to the posterior cirri.

Fresh and salt water. Length 45; diameter 25.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 52.--_Euplotes charon_, dorsal and ventral aspects.]

Euplotes harpa Stein. Fig. 53.

The body is elongate, oval, somewhat widened anteriorly, and has rounded ends. The frontal margin is three-toothed. Ten ventral cirri.

Dorsal surface provided with 8 longitudinal markings. The peristome is long and broad, with considerable variation. The adoral zone consists of powerful membranelles arranged in a continuous curve from the mouth to the extreme right frontal margin. Seven of the 10 ventral cirri are situated at the anterior extremity; the remainder are arranged in a triangle on the right edge. The a.n.a.l cirri, 5 in number, are long and stiff; the marginal cirri smaller and finer. The nucleus and contractile vacuole are similar to those of the preceding species.

Length 95; width 54.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 53.--_Euplotes harpa_.]

Genus DIOPHRYS Dujardin '41.

(Butschli '88.)

Medium size, colorless to yellow, rigid in form. The body contour is oval, the anterior end being rounded or slightly reduced, the posterior end usually cut in on the right side. The peristome is broad but less extensive than in _Euplotes_, and may extend beyond the middle of the body. Its right edge is convex toward the right side, extends forward and does not turn again to the right. The anterior ventral surface has 7 to 8 scattered cirri and just behind the mouth is a transverse row of large a.n.a.l cirri. In the sharp in-cut of the posterior end are three great angular cirri. Two lateral cirri are placed on the left of the median line between the mouth and the a.n.a.l cirri, and usually in a slight hollow. The contractile vacuole is on the right side in the vicinity of the a.n.a.l cirri. The macronucleus is in two parts, each band-form, one anterior, the other posterior in position. Movement is rapid and steady. Salt water.

Diophrys (Styloplotes) appendiculatus Stein '59. Fig. 54.

Synonyms: _Styloplotes appendiculatus_ Stein '59; Kent '81; Quennerstedt '67, etc.

The general form resembles _Euplotes_. Its outline is oval and regular except at the posterior end on the right side, where there is a considerable indentation. The frontal margin is characterized by a row of powerful membranelles, which become smaller at the peristome and at the mouth they are of characteristically small size. The ventral cirri are 7 in number. Five of them are in one row from the anterior end down the right side nearly to the a.n.a.l cirri; 1 is on the frontal border between the first two; 1 lies just anterior to the second a.n.a.l cirrus from the right side. The 5 a.n.a.l cirri are large and powerful and extend some distance beyond the posterior end of the body. In all specimens observed these cirri curve to the left. Dorsal to the a.n.a.l cirri and placed deep into the dorsal pit are 3 large, sharply curved cirri, which in most cases are fimbriated, but when the specimens are normal these are pointed and curve abruptly to the right. Two smaller cirri lie to the left of the group of a.n.a.l cirri.

The peristome is well-marked by the adoral zone, and upon its right border there is a row of cilia, and a similar row of cilia runs along the base of the oral membranelle. The macronucleus is double and consists of two elongate cylindrical ma.s.ses lying parallel with one another. One of these is in the anterior region; the other is posterior. The contractile vacuole lies dorsal to the a.n.a.l cirri and anterior to the three dorsal cirri. The movement and general activities resemble those of _Euplotes_.

Length 50; diameter 25.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 54.--_Diophrys appendiculatus_.]

Genus URONYCHIA Stein '52.

(Stein '59, '67; Quennerstedt '67; Kent '81; Butschli '88.)

Medium-sized colorless ciliates of usually constant body form. The body is somewhat short and oval in outline. The anterior end is broadly truncate, the posterior end rounded or slightly pointed. The ventral and dorsal surfaces are considerably arched and the latter usually has a number of rows of longitudinal stripes. The open peristome is broad and reaches back to the middle of the ventral surface and beyond. According to Stein, the two edges can approach each other, thus opening and closing the peristomial area. Its right edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in the genus _Euplotes_, and the left edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in that genus. The left edge also appears to cover over the adoral zone slightly. There are no ventral cirri in front, but on the posterior ventral surface are 7 great springing cirri. Five of these are inserted on the right aide in a deep in-sinking, and the other 2 in a similar depression on the left ventral surface. Above the 5 right-side cirri, _i.e._, dorsal to them, but in the same depression, are 3 angular cirri. A few edge cirri are found to the left of them and another to the right of the 5 cirri. The contractile vacuole is on the left side between the main groups of cirri. The macronucleus is band-form or spherical, and is situated in the middle region of the body. Movement consists in forward swimming with sudden springs.

Salt water.

Uronychia setigera, n. sp. Fig. 55.

This species is very common in the Woods Hole waters. It is small, colorless, and very active. The most characteristic feature is the posterior end with its relatively enormous cirri, which are apparently large enough for an animal four times its size. The form is ovoid, widened posteriorly.

The ventral surface is flat and has two excavations in the posterior end. The right hollow is larger and contains 5 great cirri of unequal size, the extreme right one being the largest. The left hollow contains 2 cirri, also of dissimilar size. Dorsal to the 5 right cirri are 3 sickle-formed cirri, which are usually fimbriated. These are pointed and curve regularly to the left. The peristome is wide and open, and a small pocket-like hollow on its left border indicates the region of the mouth. The adoral zone runs into this pocket and the mouth is located in its lower right-hand corner. In _U.

transfuga_ the right border is generally described as having a membrane of extreme delicacy. I was unable to see such a membrane in this form, but in its place there are 2 flagella-like cirri extending from the margin of the mouth-opening into the peristome, and these vibrate slowly. I do not believe these could be the moving edge of an undulating membrane, for they are quite distinct. The macronucleus is spherical instead of band-form, and a single micronucleus is closely attached. This is unlike the European species _U. transfuga_, in which the nucleus is elongate. The contractile vacuole lies between the two sets of posterior cirri. There are no marginal folds like those of the European species.

Length 40; width 25. Common.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 55.--_Uronychia setigera_.]

Genus ASPIDISCA Ehr. 1830.

(Perty '52; Cl & Lach. '58; Stein '59; Quennerstedt '65, '67, '69; Mereschowsky '79; Kent '81; Butschli '88.)

Small, colorless, and rigid forms, with nearly circular to oval contour. The left side is usually straight, or at least but slightly convex. The right side is much more convex, and the right margin is considerably thickened. The ventral side is flat, the dorsal surface convex, with from one to several longitudinal ridges which run more or less parallel with the right edge. The peristome is limited to the left edge, where it forms a small depression which may or may not reach the anterior border, but which in no case runs around the anterior margin. The left peristome margin in some cases grows over the peristome depression toward the right, thus making a sort of cover for the peristome. In the posterior region is a deep depression, from which 5 to 12 cirri take their origin. Seven or 8 cirri are placed in the anterior half of the ventral surface and are arranged more or less in rows. The a.n.u.s is on the right side in the region of the a.n.a.l cirri (Stein). The contractile vacuole is generally on the right side and similarly located. The macronucleus is a horseshoe-shaped body. Movement rapid, somewhat in circles, and rather uniform.

Fresh and salt water.

Aspidisca hexeris Quennerstedt '67. Fig. 56.

The carapace is elliptical, about 1-1/2 times as long as broad, rounded at the extremities. The left border of the carapace bears a spur-like projection. The ventral cirri are short and thick, and are very characteristic of the species. When moving slowly they look much like nicely-pointed paint brushes, but when the animal is compressed they quickly become fibrillated, and then look like extremely old and worn brushes. These cirri are placed in depressions in the ventral surface and each one appears to come from a specific shoulder. At the posterior end an oblique hollow bears 6 unequal cirri placed side by side. The extreme right cirrus is the largest, and they become progressively smaller to the opposite end. Dorsal to these lies the contractile vacuole. The peristome is in the posterior half of the body and an undulating membrane extends from it into the oesophagus.

The dorsal surface is longitudinally striated by 5 or 6 lines, which are usually curved. The nucleus is horseshoe-shaped and lies in the posterior half of the body. Length 68; diameter 48.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 56.--_Aspidisca hexeris_.]

This form was incorrectly mentioned as _Mesodinium_ sp. by Peck '95: