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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]

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]

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.

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.

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.

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]