Schizocalyptra aeschtae Long et al., 2007

Jung, Jae-Ho, 2021, Taxonomy of four scuticociliates (Protozoa: Ciliophora) from coastal waters of South Korea, Journal of Species Research 10 (2), pp. 184-190 : 188-189

4. Schizocalyptra aeschtae Long et al., 2007 ( Fig. 4 )

Material examined. Coastal water sample (25.4‰, 21.0℃) collected from Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea (34°2′50″N, 127°17′33″E) on 10 July 2019 .

Diagnosis (n = 9). Cell size 55.6-118.0 × 30.3-55.3 μm (83.4 × 43.2 μm on average) in protargol preparations, outline slightly oval to elliptical, dorsoventrally flattened; macronuclear nodules highly variable from 1 band-like to 21 spherical nodules, 54-70 somatic kineties; buccal area occupying 54.0-69.2% (59.7% on average) of body length; paroral membrane conspicuous, hook or ‘6’-shaped, with 7-10 fragments at buccal end; M1 two-rowed; M2a: M3 length ratio about 1: 1.0-1.6 (1: 1.4 on average), M2a more and less straight without conspicuous structure at posterior end (i.e., ring-like, hook-like structure), 14.2- 32.0 μm in length; M2b slightly curved; M3 two- or three-rowed.

Distribution. China ( Long et al., 2007) and Korea (this study).

Remarks. The genus Schizocalyptra consists of five species ( Wang et al., 2008b). They are morphologically very similar to Pleuronema in vivo, but clearly distinguishable by the fragmented paroral membrane (vs. non-fragmented) ( Dragesco, 1968). Schizocalyptra aeschtae highly resembles S. similis Wang et al., 2008 and S. sinica Wang et al., 2008 in terms of the body size and the number of somatic kineties ( Wang et al., 2008b). Schizocalyptra similis differs from S. aeschtae by the presence (vs. absence) of prolonged somatic cilia ( Long et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2008b). Schizocalyptra sinica differs from S. aeschtae by the presence (vs. absence) of prolonged somatic cilia and the number of fragments in the PM (12-15 vs. 6-12) ( Wang et al., 2008b). Wang et al. (2008b) re-investigated the type slides of S. aeschtae and mentioned that the species might have two or three kinety rows in M3, not just two, as reported by Long et al. (2007).

Voucher slides. Three slides with protargol-impregnated specimens were deposited at the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (GUC002230-2232).

Figures

Fig. 4. Schizocalyptra aeschtae after protargol impregnation. A, B. Ventral and dorsal view showing a typical morphology arrows denote fragments of paroral membrane. Note the band-like structure of the macronuclear nodules. C. ventral view of the oral apparatus, showing membranelle 3 consisting of three ciliary rows. D, E. Macronuclear nodules. Ma, macronucleus; M1, 3, membranelles 1, 3; M2a, anterior part of membranelle 2; M2b, posterior part of membranelle 2; PM, paroral membrane. Scale bars=50μm.