Mesanophrys cf. carcini Small & Lynn in Aescht, 2001

Xuming Pan, 2016, Seven scuticociliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from Alabama, USA, with descriptions of two parasitic species isolated from a freshwater mussel Potamilus purpuratus, European Journal of Taxonomy 249, pp. 1-19 : 3

Mesanophrys cf. carcini Small & Lynn in Aescht, 2001

Fig. 2A–C ; Table 1

Description

Description based on Alabama population: body (in vivo) 35–55 × 15–25 μm, spindle-shaped ( Fig. 2A ) or pyriform ( Fig. 2B ), having sharply pointed anterior end and narrowly rounded caudal end ( Fig. 2A ); variability in shape likely attributable to nutritional conditions ( Fig. 2A–B ) or division ( Fig. 2C ). Buccal field 10–15 μm in length or 25–30% of body length. Somatic cilia distributed in a dense lateral field, 5–8 μm long ( Fig. 2A ). Extrusomes undetectable ( Fig. 2A–C ). Cytoplasm transparent or grey, granulated; cytoplasmic granules 3–5 μm long, 1–1.5 μm wide, refractive. Macronucleus single, large, 8–13 μm long or 20–30% of body length, 8–12 μm wide or 40–50% of body width, spheroid, centrally located. One micronucleus attached to macronucleus. Locomotion by moving on substrate or swimming in water. Somatic cilia 7 to 10 μm long, ten somatic kineties composed of dikinetids in anterior ⅔ of cell. Membranelle 1 (M1) slightly separated from apex of anterior end, comprising two rows of kinetids each with seven to nine basal bodies ( Fig. 2D ). M2 bearing three to five longitudinal rows of cilia, with each longitudinal row having six to eight basal bodies ( Fig. 2D ). M3 posterior to M2, comprising three rows of kinetids ( Fig. 2D ).

Figures

Fig. 2. A – D. Mesanophrys cf. carcini Small & Lynn in Aescht, 2001. E – G. Metanophrys similis Song et al., 2002. A – C, E – F. In vivo. D, G. After silver impregnation. A, E. Ventral views of typical individuals, arrow in (E) shows caudal cilia. B, F. Different individuals, showing different body shapes. C. Individual in morphogenesis. D, G. Detailed structure of the buccal area. Abbreviations: M 1, 2, 3 = membranelle 1, 2 and 3; Ma = macronucleus; PM = paroral membrane. Scale bars: 30 μm.