A new genus of marine scuticociliate (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from northern China, with a brief note on its phylogenetic position inferred from small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence data

J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2009 Nov-Dec;56(6):577-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2009.00436.x.

Abstract

The morphology, infraciliature, and silverline system of a new marine scuticociliate, Wilbertia typica n. g., n. sp., collected from coastal waters off northern China, were investigated. The new genus Wilbertia is characterized as follows: sculptured and dorso-ventrally flattened body; dominant buccal field that is almost completely surrounded by the paroral membrane; three apically positioned long membranelles, arranged in parallel; membranelle (M)1 and M2 prominent, M3 small; reticulate silverline system. The type species W. typica n. sp. is defined by having a conspicuous anterior beak-like protrusion; five to eight caudal cilia; M1 four-rowed, M2 two-rowed; M3, single-rowed, bipartite; 15 or 16 somatic kineties; contractile vacuole positioned just posterior to the buccal field; globular macronucleus. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence of W. typica is 98.5% similar to the similar morphotype, Eurystomatella sinica. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Wilbertia groups with Eurystomatella sinica forming a branch that diverges at a deep level from all other pleuronematid scuticociliates. The molecular and morphological data indicate that Wilbertia should be placed within the family Eurystomatidae, which is closely related to the well-known Cyclidiidae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence / genetics
  • China
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis
  • DNA, Protozoan / classification*
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / analysis
  • DNA, Ribosomal / classification*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Geologic Sediments / parasitology
  • Macronucleus / ultrastructure
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligohymenophorea / classification*
  • Oligohymenophorea / cytology
  • Oligohymenophorea / genetics*
  • Phylogeny*
  • Ribosome Subunits, Small / genetics*
  • Seawater / parasitology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal

Associated data

  • GENBANK/FJ490551