Search

Ciliates of the genus Gruberia are poorly studied. Consequently, most species lack detailed morphological descriptions, and all gene sequences in GenBank are not classified at the species level. In this study, a detailed morphological description of a population of G. lanceolata from Brazil is presented, based on live and protargol‐stained organisms. We also present the 18S rRNA gene sequence and the phylogenetic position of this species. The primary characteristics of G. lanceolata from the Maricá Lagoon are as follows: an elongate fusiform body 280–870 × 40–160 μm in size; rosy cortical granules; a peristome occupying approximately 1/3–1/2 of body length; an adoral zone comprising 115–330 membranelles; a paroral membrane in 35–50 fragments; and a moniliform macronucleus with 11–16 nodules. Based on our observations and data from pertinent literature, we suggest G. beninensis to be a junior synonym of G. lanceolata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that the freshwater heterotrich ciliate Blepharisma japonicum uses five pigments called blepharismins, stored in its extrusive pigment granules, for both light perception and chemical defense against predators. In this work we focused our attention on the defensive strategies of two additional pigmented species of Blepharisma, B. stoltei and B. undulans. In particular: (1) we observed the predator–prey interactions of B. stoltei or B. undulans against one multicellular and two unicellular predators; (2) we clarified the nature of B. stoltei and B. undulans pigments by means of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS); and (3) we demonstrated and compared the toxicity of the purified pigments on a panel of ciliated protists, and against one metazoan predator. The results indicate that the chemical defense mechanism present in B. stoltei and B. undulans is mediated by the same five blepharismins previously characterized for B. japonicum, although produced in different proportions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details on Condylostoma arenarium infraciliature have not been described; therefore, it is considered a poorly known species. The lack of detailed description on C. arenarium morphology caused several misidentifications that have accumulated in the literature. In this study, we present the first complete description of C. arenarium infraciliature based on protargol-impregnated organisms and scanning electron microscopy. We also have inferred the phylogenetic position of this species based on 18S rRNA sequences. The main characteristics of C. arenarium population from Guanabara Bay are as follows: in vivo elongated body shape with 350-600 μm length × 70-220 μm width, they are highly contractile when subjected to disturbances, green-yellowish cortical granules are present, contractile vacuoles absent, V-shaped peristome comprises approximately 1/5 of the total length, adoral zone with 83-145 membranelles, 1-2 small frontal cirrus observed only in impregnated specimens, 10-15 fiber-like stripes arranged transversely on the inner wall of the oral cavity, 30-45 somatic kineties, moniliform macronucleus with 15-20 nodules. Some observations on morphogenesis of C. arenarium were also included. In phylogenetic analyses, C. arenarium clustered with Condylostoma sp. within a clade composed of three C. curva sequences with high support values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the morphologic and molecular characteristics of three Condylostoma species isolated from brackish and marine tropical habitats of China, including Condylostoma tropicum spec. nov., Condylostoma elongatum spec. nov. and Condylostoma curvum Burkovsky, 1970. The two new species have slender and elongated bodies with the posterior portion distinctly narrowed, forming long tails, thus they obviously differ from most congeners. In addition, Condylostoma tropicum spec. nov. is characterized by its small buccal cavity, single frontal cirrus, 26–33 somatic kineties, and moniliform macronucleus composed of 8–22 nodules. Condylostoma elongatum spec. nov. is distinguished by its huge body size (1000–1200 μm long in vivo), the prominent buccal cavity, 5–7 frontal cirri and 37–43 somatic kineties. Condylostoma curvum is also reinvestigated in this paper using both protargol impregnation and molecular techniques. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data indicate that the three organisms are located within the genus Condylostoma ; the genus Condylostoma fails to form a monophyletic branch in both Maximum-likelihood tree and Bayesian inference analysis. Nonetheless, the AU test shows that the monophyly of Condylostoma could not be rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific hybridization is an important evolutionary force promoting plant speciation. In the genus Onosma, one of three main evolutionary lineages presumably evolved by hybrid speciation. The assumed hybrid lineage (Heterotricha) consists of two species complexes with bimodal karyotypes containing different numbers of large ( L) and small ( S) chromosomes, the tetraploid Onosma pseudoarenaria (2 n = 12 L + 14S) and the triploid Onosma arenaria (2 n = 12 L + 8S). The latter represents a rare case of hemisexual, asymmetrically compensating allopolyploids. Representatives of the other two lineages of the genus, Haplotricha (2 n = 12 L) and Asterotricha (2 n = 14S), have been considered to be the ancestral taxa of O. pseudoarenaria and O. arenaria, although this has yet to be investigated critically. In the present study, we examined genetic [amplified fragment length polymorphism ( AFLP), internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) , and chloroplast (cp) DNA)], reproductive (pollen viability and seed production) and cytogenetic (chromosome counts, genome size assessment) patterns to resolve the hypothesized allopolyploid formations in the Heterotricha group, single or polytopic allopolyploid origins, as well as ongoing interspecific gene flow as one piece of evidence for understanding past hybrid speciation events in the genus. Discordant patterns in maternally inherited cp DNA ( Heterotricha accessions bearing the haplotypes related to asterotrichous species) and the nuclear ITS and AFLP markers ( Heterotricha clustering with haplotrichous Onosma fastigiata), as well as karyological features, support the hybrid origin of the stabilized Heterotricha lineage. Genetic variation that is both large and geographically correlated indicates multiple origins of Heterotricha allopolyploids or, less likely, a single origin with recurring introgression from the progenitor species. The nuclear markers and cytogenetic features also provide evidence for the ongoing hybridization between O. arenaria and Onosma echioides (2 n = 14S), which gives rise to sterile triploids of 2 n = 6 L + 15S. We contrast the two cases of triploids with LLS (hemisexual O. arenaria from the stabilized Heterotricha lineage) and LSS (recent sterile hybrids) karyotypes, which could help to understand the mechanisms ensuring the establishment and reproductive fitness of the odd allopolyploids in Onosma. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 89-107. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematics of Miconia angustilamina, M. crotonifolia, M. macrocarpa and M. umbellata, species traditionally considered within either Clidemia and Heterotrichum ( M. angustilamina, M. umbellata) or Tetrazygia and Tetrazygiopsis ( M. crotonifolia, M. macrocarpa) are investigated. These species, which are considered to be closely related and constitute the M. crotonifolia complex, are taxonomically revised. The circumscription of M. umbellata is expanded to include Heterotrichum cymosum (often considered a Puerto Rican endemic) and that of M. macrocarpa is expanded to include Tetrazygia tuerckheimii, which is recognized as an ecologically differentiated subspecies. The species of the M. crotonifolia complex are restricted to the Greater Antilles and are the most diverse on Hispaniola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Representatives of all classes of Ciliophora have been studied for the detection and investigation of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic (not algal) endo- (EnS) and ectosymbionts (EcS). Different methods including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) have been used. Apparently, the capability of keeping symbionts varies among the different ciliate groups as it generally is the case in different protist taxa. Most of the prokaryotic EnSs detected belong to Alphaproteobacteria. Holospora or Holospora-like infectious bacteria of this group were found in representatives of Heterotrichea, Armophorea, Phyllopharyngea, Prostomatea and mainly of Oligohymenophorea. Bacteria associated with bacteriophages were found in species of Heterotrichea and Oligohymenophorea. This holds true also for bacteria with R-bodies. A quite rare type of EnS – motile bacteria – was found in ciliates of the same two classes as well, either in the cytoplasm (Heterotrichea) or in the macronucleus and its perinuclear space (Oligohymenophorea). EcSs are more common in Heterotrichea, Armophorea and Plagiopylea, but were never found in other groups. Among the eukaryotic EnSs of ciliates, very few representatives of Microsporidia and Trypanosomatidae were recorded. In conclusion, heterotrichs and oligohymenophoreans are the most promising groups of Ciliophora for the investigation of symbiosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The karyorelictid ciliate Loxodes striatus has pigment granules which are similar in size, structure and distribution to the pigmentocysts in the heterotrich ciliates, Blepharisma japonicum and Stentor coeruleus, which are known to be extrusomes for chemical defence against predators. We examined whether the pigment granules of L. striatus are also defensive organelles. We showed that: (1) pigment granules of L. striatus are extrusive organelles; (2) bleached cells of L. striatus produced by inducing a massive discharge of pigment granules are more vulnerable than normally pigmented cells to the raptorial ciliate Dileptus margaritifer and the turbellarian Stenostomum sphagnetorum, while they are indistinguishable from intact cells in external morphology and the capacity to grow; (3) the cell-free fluid (CFF) which contains the pigment discharged from pigment granules of L. striatus induced in D. margaritifer behavioural and pathological reactions which are essentially the same as those observed in the interaction with L. striatus, and this effect of the CFF disappeared when the pigment was bleached by light. We conclude that pigment granules of L. striatus are extrusomes for chemical defence against predators, and that the defence is based on the toxic pigment contained in these organelles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Specific 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives undergo skeletal cleavage when subjected to light or Lewis acidic conditions affording novel heterotricycles, which is in stark contrast to 3-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Determines and compares the small subunit rDNA sequence of Maristentor dinoferus with sequences from other Heterotrichea and Karyorelictea. Resemblance of Maristentor to Stentor in basic morphology; Results of phylogenetic analyses; Support of the creation of a separate family for Maristentor; Significance of Maristentor in understanding the origins of folliculinids from their aloricate ancestors.

Climacostol (), a defense toxin of the heterotrich ciliate Climacostomum virens was established as 5-(Z)-non-2-enyl-benzene-1,3-diol. The structure was rigorously confirmed by the total synthesis. The two congeners of climacostol contained in this ciliate were determined as 5-(Z,Z)-undeca-2,5-dienyl-benzene-1,3-diol () and 5-(Z,Z,Z)-undeca-2,5,8-trienyl-benzene-1,3-diol (). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fabrea salina is a pelagic and hypersaline ciliate having potential to be used as live food source in commercial aquahatcheries. At preliminary level of culture, in different volumes, three different kinds of feeds viz. commercial yeast, Dunaliella and egg-custard were used at different concentrations to examine their efficacy. Besides, after analyzing the effect of salinity, temperature and light on the population growth, mass culture experiments were conducted in up to 300 l water. Compared to yeast and Dunaliella, the maximum population density (90 ciliates/ml) was obtained with egg-custard used at 10 mg/l concentration, whereas with yeast and Dunaliella, the highest density was 50 and 64 Fabrea/ml, respectively, at the corresponding food concentration of 15 mg/l and 6×106 algal cells/ml. No significant difference in the population density was observed (P=0.05) at varying concentrations of these three feeds. Because of highest population density of 76 cells/ml achieved at 65‰ salinity and 70 cells/ml at 28 °C, the same salinity and a temperature of 28±1 °C were selected in mass culture experiments. A temperature of 36 °C resulted in the highest population density, 92 cells/ml, showing the generation period of about 16 h. The culture under continuous illumination resulted in better growth (102 ciliates/ml) when compared with that in complete darkness (76 ciliates/ml). Comparing the results of mass culture at four different levels, i.e. 20, 50, 200, and 300 l, using egg-custard as sole food at 10 mg/l, the maximum population growth (82 ciliates/ml) was achieved in 200 l culture system which was provided with air–water lift recirculatory system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The living morphology and infraciliature of a heterotrichous ciliate, Folliculinopsis producta (Wright, 1859) Frauré-Fremiet, 1936, which was collected from the north coast of China, were investigated by in vivo observation and protargol impregnation techniques. As a new contribution, a redescription is presented: large Folliculinopsis of green to dark green in color, 800–1500µmn in size; two peristomial lobes of approximately equal size, 300–400µm in length; adoral zone of membranelles containing about 1000 membranelles, lying along lobe margins and exhibiting two circles within buccal cavity; 50–70 somatic kineties in mid-body; macronucleus miniliform, consisting of about 20 beads; lorica smooth, vase-shaped, (300–500)µm × (90–130)µm in size, with 5–12 spiral ridges on neck tube; marine habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a study conducted by researchers in Italy, which represents the first extended report on a species of the ciliate genus Peritromus. Determination of the small subunit rDNA gene sequence of the ciliates; Description of the different stages of contraction of Peritromus kahli.

Presents information on a study which reported the morphology of the ciliate Maristentor dinoferus. Methodology; Occurrence, ecology and behavior; Discussion of the results.

The article makes observations on the type of Liagorophila endophytica (Acrochaetiaceae, Rhodophyta). The purpose of this study is to furnish details on the characteristics of L. endophytica with the lectotype material and allied specimens. Most part of the thallus of Liagorophila endophytica weaves among the assimilatory filaments (cortical layer) of the hosts, and gives rise to erect filaments toward the host surface. The thallus shows the heterotrichous habit, composed of creeping and erect filaments. The creeping filaments are sinuous and undulated, and issue branches like themselves, resulting in a complicated network of the filaments in the cortical layer of the host.

Stentor roeselii was isolated from Pal'dang Reservoir and maintained in the laboratory. Its optimal temperature for growth was 25-30°C and its optimal pH was 7-9. Stentor roeselii primarily ingested small (2-5 μm) food items. When six algal species were presented in controlled feeding experiments, the ciliate had its highest growth rate with cyanobacterium Aphanothece sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed 87 species of Onosma (Boraginaceae) from throughout its distribution range to investigate its evolutionary history. Using nrDNA ITS and two plastid (rpl32‐trnL(UAG) and trnH–psbA) markers, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Onosma by conducting maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and BEAST analyses. The analyses revealed that Onosma as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic. However, the vast majority of Onosma species appear to belong to a single clade, the so‐called Onosma s.s. Outside of this core clade is a clade containing O. rostellata, a subclade of Sino‐Indian species and Maharanga emodii. Podonosma orientalis (as O. orientalis) appear only distantly related to Onosma but is more closely related to Alkanna, as also suggested in previous molecular studies. The Onosma s.s. clade includes all representatives of O. sect. Onosma, and encompasses three subsections, i.e. Onosma, Haplotricha and Heterotricha, corresponding to asterotrichous, haplotrichous and heterotrichous groups, respectively, but none of these subsections was retrieved as monophyletic. We observed significant incongruence between nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies regarding the phylogenetic status of the heterotrichous group. A dozen of the Iranian haplotrichous species formed a lineage which may not hybridize with asterotrichous species. Divergence time estimates suggested that the early radiation of Onosma s.l. took place at the Oligocene‐Miocene boundary and the diversification within Onosma s.s. occurred during middle to late Miocene and Pliocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]