New contributions to the marine benthic ciliates from the Antarctic area, including description of seven new species (Protozoa, Ciliophora).

Twenty-six marine benthic ciliates including seven new species were isolated from King George Island, Antarctic. The morphology and taxonomy of 19 of them are described in the present paper: Aegyriana paroliva , Amphileptus sp., Amphisiella antarctica nov. spec., Condylostoma cf. magnum , Dysteria parovalis nov. spec., Folliculina ? sp., Hartmannula cf. angustipilosa , Hemigastrostyla szaboi nov. spec., Heterostentor coeruleus , Holosticha sp., Intranstylum antarcticum nov. spec., Metaurostylopsis rubra , Orthodonella shenae , Philasterides cf. armatalis , Pithites pelagicus nov. spec., Pleuronema coronatum , Strombidium apolatum nov. spec., Telotrochidium sp., and Thigmokeronopsis magna nov. spec. Based on the new observations, an improved diagnosis for the genus Aegyriana is suggested: dorsoventrally flattened Dysteriidae with tail-shaped podite, which is positioned subcaudally in a glabrous region within somatic kineties; oral structure in two parts: ca three close-set fragments on right and one preoral kinety on left; left postoral kineties shortened posteriorly and continuous with right ones, leaving no median gap or suture; cytopharyngeal rods dominant. According to the new understanding and information obtained, a refined diagnosis of the genus Hemigastrostyla is also suggested: hypotrich with Oxytricha -like cirral pattern; eight to ten frontal (including one buccal) and five to seven ventral cirri; five transverse and three caudal cirri; no right-lateral anlagen of dorsal kineties occurring and the old adoral zone will be partly replaced by newly formed structure during morphogenesis; dorsal cilia located in small pits, fibre system highly developed; marine habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]