On four epibiotic peritrichous ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) found in Lake Weishan Wetland: morphological and molecular data support the establishment of a new genus, Parapiosoma gen. nov., and two new species

Abstract

During a study on the diversity of ciliated protists in Lake Weishan Wetland, the largest wetland in northern China, four epibiotic sessilid peritrichs were isolated from aquatic host animals. Two of them, i.e., Epistylis cambari Kellicott, 1885 and Epistylis lwoffi Fauré-Fremiet, 1943, were known species whereas the other two, i.e., Parapiosoma typicum gen. nov., sp. nov. and Orborhabdostyla gracilis sp. nov., are new to science. The new genus Parapiosoma gen. nov. is characterized by its branched non-contractile stalk, everted peristomial lip, obconical macronucleus and transverse silverlines. Two species are assigned to the new genus, namely Parapiosoma typicum sp. nov. and Parapiosoma gasterostei (Fauré-Fremiet, 1905) comb. nov. Morphologically, P. typicum sp. nov. is recognized by its goblet-shaped zooids, single-layered peristomial lip, dichotomously branched stalk, and infundibular polykinety 3 (P3) containing three equal-length rows. Orborhabdostyla gracilis sp. nov. is characterized by its slender zooid, curved macronucleus, and three equal-length rows in infundibular P3. Improved diagnoses and redescriptions of E. cambari and E. lwoffi are provided including, for the first time, data on the ciliature of E. cambari. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA, ITS1-5.8S rDNA -ITS2, and LSU rDNA sequence data strongly support the assertion that the family Epistylididae comprises morphospecies with different evolutionary lineages and indicate that Parapiosoma gen. nov. may represent a new taxon at family level.

Diversity of Pleurostomatid Ciliates: Morphology, Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of Freshwater Isolates Found in a Northern China Wetland, with a Description of Two New Species

“…are typically found within the upper layers of sediments or above this layer in the water column as they are sensitive to oxygen gradients and light and move accordingly, thus being well suited for exploiting depleted and anoxic environments; euplotids feed on bacteria, microalgae and small protists and are commonly found in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats; Amphileptus spp. are widely distributed in freshwater, marine and brackish water habitats [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The order Pleurostomatida Schewiakoff, 1896 is a common and diverse group of raptorial feeders with developed extrusomes that show a marked preference for more sedentary prey, such as peritrichs and rotifers [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Molecular characterization and zoonotic potential of Entamoeba spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis from captive wild animals in northwest China

“…Protozoa, the unicellular eukaryotes with global distribution and high biodiversity, encompass numerous parasitic species [ 1 – 4 ]. Among them, Entamoeba spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi , and Blastocystis are three predominant protozoan parasites that infect various animals and humans, leading to diarrhea and gastrointestinal illnesses [ 5 – 7 ].…”