Bodo cygnus Patterson and Simpson, 1996

Lee, Won Je & Patterson, David J., 2000, Heterotrophic flagellates (Protista) from marine sediments of Botany Bay, Australia, Journal of Natural History 34, pp. 483-562 : 490-491

Bodo cygnus Patterson and Simpson, 1996

(fi gures 1g, 2k, l)

Description. Cell 8-13 Mm long, elliptical, with subapical indentation from which two unequal fl agella emerge. The anterior fl agellum is as long as the cell and may wrap around the anterior end of the cell during feeding. The acronematic posterior fl agellum is about 2.5 times the length of the cell. Cells have a spiral groove that is easy to overlook and that extends from the subapical indentation to the posterior end of the cell. Cells move by rotating swimming movements. Sometimes commonly observed.

Remarks. This species was fi rst described from hypersaline marine sites by Patterson and Simpson (1996) and with lengths from 8 to 12 Mm. Our observations are in accord with those of Patterson and Simpson (1996). Bodo cygnus may be confused with B. designis Skuja, 1948 in general appearance, rotational swimming movements and cell length, but it can be distinguished by its spiral groove. The groove is hard to see in swimming cells. Previously reported large B. designis may be referable to B. cygnus because the spiral groove may have been overlooked. Careful observation is needed to distinguish these two species.