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Although Strombomonas verrucosa has been the type of the genus name for almost 100 years, its lack of clear diagnostic traits has rendered morphological distinction from its congeners almost impossible. As such, a study was conducted combining previously unused morphological data (chloroplast characters) with molecular data (sequences of nuclear SSU, LSU and plastid‐encoded SSU rDNA) and extensive literature review. The study focused on environmental samples obtained from Poland and China and resulted in 51 new sequences representing three molecular markers (17 nSSU, 16 nLSU and 18 cpSSU rDNA). Revised delimitations of the genus Strombomonas and its type S. verrucosa are presented that include new and detailed diagnostic characters. In addition to the type, we recognize nine species: S. acuminata, S. borystheniensis, S. eurystoma, S. fluviatilis, S. gibberosa, S. maxima, S. ovalis, S. schauinslandii, S. triquetra. Three of these are incorporated into a phylogeny for the first time (S. fluviatilis, S. gibberosa, S. schauinslandii). To improve the efficiency of DNA isolation from loricate cells, a protocol utilising a chelating resin for DNA isolation – following the lead of diatomologists – has been adjusted for Euglenaceae and is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a comprehensive analysis of photoautotrophic euglenids' distribution and biodiversity in 16 small water bodies of various types (including fish ponds, field ponds, rural ponds and park ponds) located in three regions of Poland: Masovia, Masuria and Pomerania during a period of three years. By employing a euglenid specific barcode marker and a curated database of V2 18S rDNA sequences it was possible to identify 97.7 % of euglenid reads at species level. A total of 152 species classified in 13 genera were identified. The number of euglenid species found in one pond varied from 40 to 102. The most common species were Euglena agilis and Euglenaria caudata , found in every analysed waterbody. The highest number of observed species belonged to Trachelomonas and Phacus. Certain species exhibited a tendency to coexist, suggesting the presence of distinct species assemblages. Among them, the most distinctive cluster was associated with water bodies located in the Masuria region, characterized also by the greatest species richness, including many very rare species: Euglenaformis chlorophoenicea, Lepocinclis autumnalis, L. marssonii, Trachelomonas eurystoma, T. manschurica, T. mucosa, T. zuberi, T. zuberi var. nepos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA sequences were analyzed for three groups of species from the Lepocinclis genus (L. acus‐like, L. oxyuris‐like, and L. tripteris‐like) along with cellular morphology. Phylogenetic analyses were based on nuclear SSU rDNA, LSU rDNA, and plastid‐encoded LSU rDNA. DNA sequences were obtained from species available in culture collections (L. acus SAG 1224‐1a and UTEX 1316) and those isolated directly from the environment in Poland (48 isolates), resulting in 79 new sequences. The obtained phylogenetic tree of Lepocinclis included 27 taxa, five of which are presented for the first time (L. convoluta, L. gracillimoides, L. longissima, L. pseudospiroides, and L. torta) and nine taxonomically verified and described. Based on morphology, literature data, and phylogenetic analyses, the following species were distinguished: in the L. acus‐like group, L. longissima and L. acus; in the L. tripteris‐like group, L. pseudospiroides, L. torta, and L. tripteris; in the L. oxyuris‐like group, L. gracillimoides, L. oxyuris var. oxyuris, and L. oxyuris var. helicoidea. For all verified species, diagnostic descriptions were emended, nomenclatural adjustments were made, and epitypes were designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sampling in Poland and the United States and phylogenetic analyses based on 567 sequences of four genes (155 sequences of nuclear SSU rDNA, 139 of nuclear LSU rDNA, 135 of plastid‐encoded SSU rDNA, and 138 of plastid‐encoded LSU rDNA) resulted in description of the new genus Flexiglena, which has been erected by accommodating Euglena variabilis, and enriching the Discoplastis and Euglenaformis genera with five new species. Four of them have joined the Discoplastis genus, currently consisting of six representatives: D. adunca, D. angusta (=Euglena angusta), D. constricta (=Lepocinclis constricta), D. excavata (=E. excavata), D. gasterosteus (=E. gasterosteus), and D. spathirhyncha. One of them has enriched the Euglenaformis genus, currently represented by two species: Euf. chlorophoenicea (= E. chlorophoenicea) and Euf. proxima. For most studied species, the diagnostic descriptions have been emended and epitypes were designated. Furthermore, the emending of Discoplastis and Euglenaformis diagnoses was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we describe a new photosynthetic euglenoid species found in Poland - Euglena mazurica. A large population exists in a small, eutrophic body of water located in a pasture near Mikołajki town inside the Masurian Landscape Park (covering a part of the Masurian Lake District in Poland). The unique cell shape (corkscrew-like) discerns it well from other previously described euglenoid species with metabolic cells. The new species possesses two plate-like chloroplasts each with a pyrenoid accompanied by two paramylon caps placed on either side of it (diplopyrenoids). On the phylogenetic tree, the new species is situated within the Euglena clade. Though it is a sister branch to three clades – one representing the similar Euglena agilis, characterized by its fusiform cells and two chloroplasts with diplopyrenoids, the two species are clearly morphologically and molecularly distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and molecular features were analyzed for a species of Phacus to better understand the phylogenetic relationships among them and establish the taxonomy. Phylogenetic analyses were based on nSSU rDNA and the research resulted in 55 new sequences. The study included species available in algal collections and those isolated directly from the environment in Poland and the Czech Republic. As a result, the obtained phylogenetic tree of Phacus includes 50 species, out of which 7 are represented on a tree for the first time (Phacus anacoelus, P. anomalus, P. curvicauda, P. elegans, P. lismorensis, P. minutus and P. stokesii) and many have been taxonomically verified. For all verified species, diagnostic descriptions were amended, the naming was reordered and epitypes were designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Lepocinclis ovum is recognized as a cosmopolitan and common species, and Lepocinclis globulus is the type species of the genus Lepocinclis, their correct identification is nearly impossible. The reason is that over 30 morphologically similar taxa appear in the literature, but no good diagnostic features exist to distinguish amongst them. Using environmental sampling and nuclear SSU rDNA sequencing, we delimited species within the group of Lepocinclis ovum‐like taxa. Morphological and molecular features were analyzed for taxa isolated from Poland and six cultured strains from algal collections. In the case of environmental sampling, DNA was obtained from a small number of cells (20–400) isolated with a micropipette without setting up laboratory cultures (52 isolates), and phylogenetic analyses were based on the variation in nSSU rDNA. Apart from L. ovum and L. globulus, 13 other species were distinguished and four taxa (Lepocinclis conica comb. nov., L. fominii comb. nov., L. gracilicauda comb. nov., and L. pseudofominii nom. nov.) had their taxonomic ranks changed. For all verified species, diagnostic descriptions were emended and epitypes designated. The only exception was L. ovum, for which the epitype was questioned and thus, a new candidate for the epitype was suggested for future adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]