Metanophrys similis (Song, Shang, Chen & Ma, 2002)

Fig. 2 E–G; Table 1

Description

Description based on Alabama population: body in vivo 35–40 × 20–25 μm, plump pyriform, anteriorly tapering, posteriorly rounded; no apical plate formed (Fig. 2 E). Ventral side slightly straight, dorsal side slightly convex (Fig. 2 E–F). Somatic cilia 7–8 μm long, densely arranged (Fig. 2 F). Single caudal cilium approximately 10 μm in length (Fig. 2 E). Extrusoms bar-shaped, approximately 2 μm in length, arranged in rows between the somatic kineties. Endoplasm colourless to grayish, and contained abundant food vacuoles (2–5 μm in across) and many bar- or dumbbell-shaped crystals 1–2 μm in length (Fig. 2 E). One large, spherical to ovoid macronucleus, approximately 10 μm in length and 12 μm in width, centrally located. Swimming aimlessly, without pause, or sometimes crawling on substrates. Twelve somatic kineties. M1 near apex, comprising three longitudinal rows of kinetids with six basal bodies each (Fig. 2 G). M2 three-rowed, as long as M1, composed of six basal bodies in each longitudinal row (Fig. 2 G). M3 located close to M2, usually comprises three short arranged rows of basal bodies.