taxonID	type	description	language	source
03B387F4DF34FFDF4B98FC3E8013FE0E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Marine water, collected from Gomso Port, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea (35 ° 35 ʹ 08 ʺ N, 126 ° 36 ʹ 20 ʺ E) on 20 May 2021.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF34FFDF4B98FC3E8013FE0E.taxon	description	Description (n = 7). Lorica 61 - 71 × 34 - 41 μm (on average 64.4 × 38.1 μm) in size, agglutinated, composed of obconical collar and globular to ellipsoidal bowl with cylindrical posterior process (Figs. 1 A- E, 2 A- F). Collar 7.0 - 10.5 μm (on average 8.6 μm) high, crown-shaped, with irregular rim; inner constriction 28 - 32 μm (on average 30.4 μm) in diameter. Ratio of lorica length to opening of collar diameter 1.6 - 1.8: 1 (on average 1.7: 1). Bowl occupies about 66 % of lorica length, 33 - 37 μm (on average 34.4 μm) in diameter; end of bowl 61 - 86 ° (on average 72.3 °) angle (Figs. 1 A, 2 A- C). Posterior process 11 - 15 × 6.0 - 8.5 μm (on average 12.0 × 7.6 μm) in size, with usually obliquely truncate open end (Figs. 1 A, B, 2 A- C, E, F). Closing apparatus present, agglutinated with small particles (Figs. 1 B, 2 D). Habitat. Marine.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF34FFDF4B98FC3E8013FE0E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Nieuwpoort in Belgium (Meunier, 1919), Zuiderzee in the Netherlands (Hofker, 1931), Elbmündung, the Kiel Canal, and coastal waters of Sylt in Germany (Brandt, 1907; Kofoid and Campbell, 1929; Agatha, 2008), Atlántida in Uruguay (Balech, 1948), Fort Pierce in the United States of America (Strüder-Kypke and Lynn, 2003), and near Gomso Port in Korea (present study). Phylogenetic analyses. The SSU rDNA- ITS 1 - 5.8 S rDNA- ITS 2 - partial LSU rDNA sequence of Tintinnopsis fimbriata is 2,122 base pairs long with a GC content of 47.5 % (GenBank accession no: PQ 650933). The SSU rDNA sequence of the Korean population of T. fimbriata shows an identity of 96.25 % (54 nucleotide differences) to the American population (AY 143560), which is the only available sequence and does not cluster together in the phylogenetic tree (Fig. 5). The gene sequence rather clusters together with Stenosemella steini. Additionally, the Korean SSU rDNA sequence of Tintinnopsis fimbriata is identical to those of the two American (EU 399542, JN 831838) and Chinese (MT 435075) populations of T. uruguayensis (Fig. 5), but there are two nucleotide differences between the Korean populations of T. fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (GenBank accession No. PQ 650934, this study). Furthermore, the ITS 1, 5.8 S rDNA, and ITS 2 sequence of T. fimbriata shows identities of 99.76 % (one nucleotide difference) to the Korean population and 99.53 % (two nucleotide differences) to the Chinese population (MT 435062) of T. uruguayensis.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF34FFDF4B98FC3E8013FE0E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Among the three congeners sharing similar lorica morphology, Tintinnopsis amoyensis is easily distinguished from the Korean T. fimbriata by its smaller size (45 - 50 × 25 - 27 μm vs. 61 - 71 × 34 - 41 μm) (Nie, 1934). Tintinnopsis uruguayensis differs from T. fimbriata by the slender lorica (ratio of lorica length to opening of collar diameter: 1.6 - 2.7 vs. 1.3 - 1.8) (Meunier, 1919; Balech, 1948; Agatha, 2008; Bai et al., 2020; this study). The Korean specimens of T. fimbriata match the dimensions estimated from the original illustrations in terms of the lorica shape and size (61 - 71 × 34 - 41 μm vs. 68 - 75 × 52 - 54 μm) (Meunier, 1919) (Table 1). However, in terms of the collar width, the Korean population does not match closely with the original population (34 - 41 μm vs. 52 - 54 μm) but corresponds more closely to the neotype (38 - 56 μm vs. 34 - 41 μm) (Agatha, 2008). As noted above, the Korean population of T. fimbriata is morphologically consistent with the neotype (Table 1). However, the sequence of the neotype is unavailable, and sequence AY 143560 (assigned to T. fimbriata) is presumed to have been derived from a misidentified specimen due to the unclear posterior process of the lorica (Strüder-Kypke and Lynn, 2003; Agatha, 2008). Even though the Chinese population of T. uruguayensis differs from the neotype of T. fimbriata in the infraciliature pattern (left ciliary field: 4 - 6 vs. 6 - 8; lateral ciliary field: 11 - 14 vs. 9 - 16) (Agatha, 2008; Bai et al., 2020), it is challenging to definitively reject their conspecificity due to the unavailability of the SSU rDNA sequence for the neotype. The identical SSU rDNA sequences between congeners are well-documented in some ciliates (e. g., Tetrahymena, Parafavella) and this may be one such case (Lynn and Strüder-Kypke, 2006; Jung et al., 2018). Therefore, there is no doubt that an in-depth taxonomic discussion between T. fimbriata and T. uruguayensis is necessary. When focusing on the key character of collar opening diameter, T. fimbriata and T. uruguayensis observed in this study are clearly distinguishable (Fig. 6). However, when including the original, neotype, and Chinese populations of T. uruguayensis in the comparison, the measurements overlapped within the range of 23 - 56 μm, making it difficult to determine their relationships. When comparing these populations separately based on Table 1, the morphology of T. fimbriata and T. uruguayensis from Korea does not overlap, and differences in their sequences also suggest they are distinct species. Moreover, the collar opening diameter of T. uruguayensis reported by Strüder-Kypke and Lynn (2008) appears to differ significantly from that mentioned in the original description (40 - 50 μm vs. 22 - 27 μm) but is more similar to those in the original description of T. fimbriata (40 - 50 μm vs. 52 - 54 μm), raising the possibility of misidentification. To address these issues, we performed molecular analyses, but the commonly used genetic markers did not provide clear differentiation, and the analysis of markers with higher discriminatory power was unsuccessful (e. g., CO 1). Based on the observed differences between the two Korean species, we identified them as more similar species com- pared to the original or neotype descriptions. Therefore, it is important to recognize the challenges, posed by lorica variation and genetic conservation, in future studies. Additionally, further research utilizing genetic markers capable of precisely identifying T. fimbriata and T. uruguayensis is needed.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF34FFDF4B98FC3E8013FE0E.taxon	materials_examined	Voucher specimens. The three slides were deposited at the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK PR 00045100 - MABIK PR 00045102).	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF33FFD2484FFE6387ACFB76.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Marine water, collected from near Janghang Port, Janghang-eup, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea (36 ° 0 ʹ 26.6 ʺ N, 126 ° 41 ʹ 51.9 ʺ E) on 17 Aug 2021.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF33FFD2484FFE6387ACFB76.taxon	description	Description (n = 15). Lorica 52 - 61 × 23 - 29 μm (on average 56.4 × 26.5 μm) in size, agglutinated, composed of obconical collar and ellipsoidal bowl with cylindrical posterior process (Figs. 3 A- G, 4 A- G). Collar 8.5 - 12.0 μm (on average 10.0 μm) high, crown-shaped, with irregular rim; inner constriction diameter 18 - 21 μm (on average 19.4 μm). Ratio of lorica length to opening of collar diameter 1.9 - 2.7: 1 (on average 2.2: 1). Bowl occupies about 62.3 % of lorica length, 23 - 25 μm (on average 23.8 μm) in diameter; end of bowl 47 - 86 ° (on average 69.7 °) angle (Figs. 3 A, 4 A- C). Posterior process 9 - 15 × 5.5 - 8.5 μm (on average 11.5 × 6.7 μm) in size, with usually obliquely truncate open end (Figs. 3 A, B, 4 A- C, F). Closing apparatus present, agglutinated with small particles (Figs. 3 B, 4 B- D, E, G). Habitat. Marine.	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF33FFD2484FFE6387ACFB76.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Atlántida in Uruguay (Balech, 1948), Fort Pierce and Long Island Sound in the United States of America (Strüder-Kypke and Lynn, 2008; Santoferrara et al., 2013), coastal waters of Qingdao in China (Bai et al., 2020), and Janghang Port in Korea (present study). Phylogenetic analyses. The SSU rDNA- ITS 1 - 5.8 S rDNA- ITS 2 - partial LSU rDNA sequence of Tintinnopsis uruguayensis is 2,318 base pairs long with a GC content of 46.8 % (GenBank accession no: PQ 650934). The SSU rDNA sequence of T. uruguayensis shows an identity of 99.86 % (two nucleotide differences) to the two American populations (EU 399542, JN 831838) and the Chinese population (MT 435075) of T. uruguayensis, and the Korean population of T. fimbriata (Fig. 5). Besides, the ITS 1 - 5.8 S rDNA- ITS 2 sequence of the Korean T. uruguayensis shows an identity of 99.29 % (three nucleotide differences) to the Chinese population (MT 435062).	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF33FFD2484FFE6387ACFB76.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The Korean population of Tintinnopsis uruguayensis very closely resembles the type population as for lorica morphology (lorica size: 52 - 61 × 23 - 29 μm vs. 54 - 63 × 22 - 27 μm; inner constriction diameter: 18 - 21 μm vs. 19 - 21 μm; bowl width: 23 - 25 μm vs. 23 - 26 μm) (Balech, 1948). In contrast, the Korean population differs from the American and Chinese populations of T. uruguayensis in terms of lorica morphology and molecular phylogeny (Table 1; Fig. 5): larger loricae in American populations (70 - 80 × 40 - 50 μm and 64 × 34 μm vs. 52 - 61 × 23 - 29 μm) (Strüder-Kypke and Lynn, 2008; Santoferrara et al., 2013); broader loricae in Chinese population (lorica length: collar opening diameter, 1.6 - 2.3 vs. 1.9 - 2.7) (Bai et al., 2020). As mentioned above, the American and Chinese populations share the same SSU rDNA sequences and differ by two nucleotides from the Korean population. Considering that the ITS 1 - 5.8 S rDNA- ITS 2 sequence of the Chinese population differs by three nucleotides from that of the Korean population, it could represent a distinct species (Jung et al., 2018). Among congeners, Tintinnopsis amoyensis exhibits a shape similar to that of T. uruguayensis due to an obconical collar and a cylindrical posterior process. However, they differ in lorica length (45 - 50 μm vs. 52 - 61 μm) (Nie, 1934). Tintinnopsis cylindrica and T. tocantinensis have a posterior process, but they lack an obconical collar and their loricae are longer than that of T. uruguayensis (Daday, 1887; Kofoid and Campbell, 1929).	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
03B387F4DF33FFD2484FFE6387ACFB76.taxon	materials_examined	Voucher specimens. The three slides were deposited at the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea (MABIK PR 00045097 - MABIK PR 00045099).	en	Jung, Ji Hye Moon and Jae-Ho (2025): Morphology and molecular phylogeny of controversial tintinnids Tintinnopsis fimbriata and T. uruguayensis (Protozoa: Ciliophora) collected from coastal waters of South Korea. Journal of Species Research 14 (1): 86-95, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2025.14.1.086
