Pub Date : 2025-06-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126157
Nikola Bankov
Species delimitation in unicellular organisms remains a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited number of taxonomically informative traits and their often adaptive nature. Moreover, most original descriptions of testate amoebae, dating from the late 19th to mid-20th century, relied solely on light microscopy, were often accompanied by inadequate diagnoses, and lacked illustrative drawings. To address the limitations of the historic phenetic classification, modern approaches are needed to resolve fundamental questions concerning true biodiversity and phylogenetic relationships. In this study, I employed an integrative framework that combines ecological data, morphological data (light and scanning electron microscopy), and biometric measurements to investigate the testate amoeba Galeripora dentata (Ehrenberg, 1830) Siemensma, 2021 from Bulgaria. I provide an improved diagnosis of the species, along with a synthesis of its global geographical distribution and ecological preferences.
{"title":"Tales of the crown: An integrative approach to the testate amoeba Galeripora dentata (Ehrenberg, 1830) Siemensma, 2021 (Amoebozoa, Arcellinida, Arcellidae)","authors":"Nikola Bankov","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Species delimitation in unicellular organisms remains a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited number of taxonomically informative traits and their often adaptive nature. Moreover, most original descriptions of testate amoebae, dating from the late 19th to mid-20th century, relied solely on light microscopy, were often accompanied by inadequate diagnoses, and lacked illustrative drawings. To address the limitations of the historic phenetic classification, modern approaches are needed to resolve fundamental questions concerning true biodiversity and phylogenetic relationships. In this study, I employed an integrative framework that combines ecological data, morphological data (light and scanning electron microscopy), and biometric measurements to investigate the testate amoeba <em>Galeripora dentata</em> (Ehrenberg, 1830) Siemensma, 2021 from Bulgaria. I provide an improved diagnosis of the species, along with a synthesis of its global geographical distribution and ecological preferences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 126157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126156
Maria Holzmann , Ferry Siemensma
Monothalamous (single-chambered) foraminifera are widespread in marine benthic environments and are also a common part of freshwater and soil microbial communities. Based on molecular and morphological characteristics, seven non-marine families are currently recognized, branching either as sisters to marine clades or independently within the paraphyletic class Monothalamida. In this study, we describe a new monothalamous freshwater foraminifera sampled from a Pyrenean pond near the French town of Cauterets. We erect the novel genus Poseidonella, with its type species Poseidonella transaquatica sp. nov. The new species branches within the marine clade E, which includes the genera Psammophaga, Vellaria, Niveus, and Nellya. This represents the first evidence of a mixed clade comprising both marine and freshwater monothalamids, highlighting an ongoing transition from coastal marine environments to freshwater habitats.
{"title":"A new freshwater monothalamid (Rhizaria, Foraminifera) from the Pyrenees branching within a marine clade","authors":"Maria Holzmann , Ferry Siemensma","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126156","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126156","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monothalamous (single-chambered) foraminifera are widespread in marine benthic environments and are also a common part of freshwater and soil microbial communities. Based on molecular and morphological characteristics, seven non-marine families are currently recognized, branching either as sisters to marine clades or independently within the paraphyletic class Monothalamida. In this study, we describe a new monothalamous freshwater foraminifera sampled from a Pyrenean pond near the French town of Cauterets. We erect the novel genus <em>Poseidonella</em>, with its type species <em>Poseidonella transaquatica</em> sp. nov. The new species branches within the marine clade E, which includes the genera <em>Psammophaga</em>, <em>Vellaria</em>, <em>Niveus</em>, and <em>Nellya</em>. This represents the first evidence of a mixed clade comprising both marine and freshwater monothalamids, highlighting an ongoing transition from coastal marine environments to freshwater habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144255180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126158
Diana Wrigley de Basanta, Carlos Lado
Myxomycetes are microscopic eukaryotic organisms classified within the phylum Amoebozoa. They are naked amoebae, with or without a flagellated stage in their life cycle, capable of forming a multinucleate cell (plasmodium) and producing fruiting bodies for spore dispersal. Myxomycetes are natural bacterivores and fungivores, consistently associated with plants or plant remains in terrestrial habitats. They are commonly found on decaying wood but also occur in living plants, where they may act as mutualists. Here, we propose that these microorganisms function as primary endophytic symbionts of plants, potentially protecting them from other endophytes. We comment on published studies that support this relationship and suggest that further evidence could be obtained through molecular or genomic approaches.
{"title":"Phagocytes of the forest: Are myxomycetes defensive mutualists for host plants?","authors":"Diana Wrigley de Basanta, Carlos Lado","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Myxomycetes are microscopic eukaryotic organisms classified within the phylum Amoebozoa. They are naked amoebae, with or without a flagellated stage in their life cycle, capable of forming a multinucleate cell (plasmodium) and producing fruiting bodies for spore dispersal. Myxomycetes are natural bacterivores and fungivores, consistently associated with plants or plant remains in terrestrial habitats. They are commonly found on decaying wood but also occur in living plants, where they may act as mutualists. Here, we propose that these microorganisms function as primary endophytic symbionts of plants, potentially protecting them from other endophytes. We comment on published studies that support this relationship and suggest that further evidence could be obtained through molecular or genomic approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144241046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126153
Anastasia Kochergina, Martin Schnittler
Hiddensee, a small island in the Baltic Sea, is characterized by a rather dry, windy, and sunny climate, resembling a periodic desert. We studied epiphytic and fimicolous myxomycetes on the island using the moist chamber method for 101 substrate samples. A total of 37 myxomycete species were identified from 124 records, including 4 species newly recorded in Germany. Molecular barcoding revealed that 67 % of the obtained DNA sequences were new, differing by more than 1 % from their closest matches in the GenBank database. We obtained the first molecular data for Didymium megalosporum (found to be related to the aethaloid species D. spongiosum and D. yulii) and C. elegans var. microspora (new data for both the species and the variety). For Trichia rapa, described in 2023 based on a single barcoded collection, we found three different ribotypes, including one already known. Presumably undescribed taxa within the morphospecies Comatricha nigra, Didymium squamulosum, Enerthenema papillatum, and Trichia contorta were identified by molecular barcoding. Substrate preferences of myxomycetes, categorized into four substrate types (bark of living trees, leaf litter, twigs, and dung), showed distinct patterns of occurrence, with each substrate type associated with a characteristic assemblage of myxomycetes. The species composition on the bark of living trees showed a well-known dependence on bark pH and hardness, with differing pH optima and tolerance ranges among the studied species. Echinostelium minutum occurred across a broad pH spectrum (6.1–8.0; 11 records), whereas Didymium leptotrichum was restricted to a narrow pH range (7.9–8.1; 7 records). Trichia munda preferred relatively acidic substrates (6.4–7.2; 9 records), while Perichaena luteola (7.4–8.0, 5 records) was more commonly found in slightly alkaline conditions.
{"title":"Epiphytic and fimicolous myxomycetes on the island Hiddensee (Germany): rare species, new genotypes and unexpected ecological preferences","authors":"Anastasia Kochergina, Martin Schnittler","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hiddensee, a small island in the Baltic Sea, is characterized by a rather dry, windy, and sunny climate, resembling a periodic desert. We studied epiphytic and fimicolous myxomycetes on the island using the moist chamber method for 101 substrate samples. A total of 37 myxomycete species were identified from 124 records, including 4 species newly recorded in Germany. Molecular barcoding revealed that 67 % of the obtained DNA sequences were new, differing by more than 1 % from their closest matches in the GenBank database. We obtained the first molecular data for <em>Didymium megalosporum</em> (found to be related to the aethaloid species <em>D. spongiosum</em> and <em>D. yulii</em>) and <em>C. elegans</em> var. <em>microspora</em> (new data for both the species and the variety). For <em>Trichia rapa</em>, described in 2023 based on a single barcoded collection, we found three different ribotypes, including one already known. Presumably undescribed taxa within the morphospecies <em>Comatricha nigra</em>, <em>Didymium squamulosum</em>, <em>Enerthenema papillatum</em>, and <em>Trichia contorta</em> were identified by molecular barcoding. Substrate preferences of myxomycetes, categorized into four substrate types (bark of living trees, leaf litter, twigs, and dung), showed distinct patterns of occurrence, with each substrate type associated with a characteristic assemblage of myxomycetes. The species composition on the bark of living trees showed a well-known dependence on bark pH and hardness, with differing pH optima and tolerance ranges among the studied species. <em>Echinostelium minutum</em> occurred across a broad pH spectrum (6.1–8.0; 11 records), whereas <em>Didymium leptotrichum</em> was restricted to a narrow pH range (7.9–8.1; 7 records). <em>Trichia munda</em> preferred relatively acidic substrates (6.4–7.2; 9 records), while <em>Perichaena luteola</em> (7.4–8.0, 5 records) was more commonly found in slightly alkaline conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126152
Julia Sacharow, Stefan Ratering, Santiago Quiroga, Rita Geissler-Plaum, Bellinda Schneider, Alessandra Österreicher Cunha-Dupont, Sylvia Schnell
Protists are integral components of the plant holobiome, influencing plant growth and pathogenic pressure through their predatory activities. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), one of the most important crops globally, depends on favorable environmental conditions and effective pathogen management to achieve high yields. This study investigates the natural compositions of cercozoan diversity in winter wheat across various developmental stages (before sowing, at flowering, at ripening, and after harvesting) and plant compartments (leaves, roots, rhizosphere, and bulk soil) over two field seasons. The results revealed a pronounced dominance of the families Sandonidae, Allapsidae, Cercomonadidae, and Rhogostomidae across all samples. A strong enrichment of Sandonidae in leaf samples and Allapsidae in root samples was particularly notable. Importantly, no significant differences in cercozoan composition were observed across the different developmental stages of the plant. A comparative analysis between Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare (barley) showed substantial similarity in cercozoan diversity across soil, leaf, and root compartments, with the only notable difference occurring in leaf samples during the ripening stage. The study concludes that cercozoan diversity in winter wheat is compartment-specific and remain stable across developmental stages. Further research is needed to explore cercozoan communities in greater taxonomic depth and to elucidate their ecological roles. Future studies should also assess whether similar patterns of compartmental variation and developmental consistency are observed in other major agricultural crops.
{"title":"Composition of cercozoan diversity: Unravelling leaf, root, and soil specificity in crop plants","authors":"Julia Sacharow, Stefan Ratering, Santiago Quiroga, Rita Geissler-Plaum, Bellinda Schneider, Alessandra Österreicher Cunha-Dupont, Sylvia Schnell","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Protists are integral components of the plant holobiome, influencing plant growth and pathogenic pressure through their predatory activities. Wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em>), one of the most important crops globally, depends on favorable environmental conditions and effective pathogen management to achieve high yields. This study investigates the natural compositions of cercozoan diversity in winter wheat across various developmental stages (before sowing, at flowering, at ripening, and after harvesting) and plant compartments (leaves, roots, rhizosphere, and bulk soil) over two field seasons. The results revealed a pronounced dominance of the families Sandonidae, Allapsidae, Cercomonadidae, and Rhogostomidae across all samples. A strong enrichment of Sandonidae in leaf samples and Allapsidae in root samples was particularly notable. Importantly, no significant differences in cercozoan composition were observed across the different developmental stages of the plant. A comparative analysis between <em>Triticum aestivum</em> and <em>Hordeum vulgare</em> (barley) showed substantial similarity in cercozoan diversity across soil, leaf, and root compartments, with the only notable difference occurring in leaf samples during the ripening stage. The study concludes that cercozoan diversity in winter wheat is compartment-specific and remain stable across developmental stages. Further research is needed to explore cercozoan communities in greater taxonomic depth and to elucidate their ecological roles. Future studies should also assess whether similar patterns of compartmental variation and developmental consistency are observed in other major agricultural crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144262808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126154
Zhouchun Li , Yilei Zhang , Lijie Tian , Xinglong Song , Xinyuan Wang , Genhong Wang , Haofeng An , Olalekan Opeyemi Ayanniyi , Qianming Xu , Congshan Yang
Snakes are frequently kept as pets and are considered important reservoirs of pathogenic protists. Parabasalids, single-celled protists that parasitize a broad variety of hosts, are transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Some species pose zoonotic risks, endangering the health of both humans and animals. This study reports on the diversity and prevalence of parabasalids in six captive, non-native snake species from China. A total of 753 fecal samples were collected from non-native snakes across 26 provinces in China, including five open farms, 16 private breeders, and five pet shops. The nuclear ITS1‐5.8S-ITS2 region was PCR amplified to investigate the infection rates of parabasalids and assess their kinships through phylogenetic analysis. The overall prevalence of parabasalids in the snake fecal samples was 13.28 % (100/753). While infection rates did not differ significantly among the snake species, significant differences were observed among the breeding environments. Snakes raised on farms had significantly higher infection rates (31.62 %, 43/136) compared to those from pet shops (13.24 %, 18/136) and private breeders (8.11 %, 39/481). In addition to Monocercomonas colubrorum, commonly found in reptiles, five other parabasalids were identified in snake fecal samples: Tritrichomonas musculus, Tritrichomonas muris, Trichomonas gallinae, Simplicimonas moskowitzi, and Trichomitus batrachorum. To our best knowledge, this is the first time these parabasalids have been detected in captive snakes from China. Our study revealed a diverse community of parabasalids in the intestines of snakes, including species typically parasitic in other animal groups such as mammals, birds, and amphibians. However, further investigations are required to determine whether these parabasalids have pathogenic effects on snakes or if they could be transmitted to other animals.
{"title":"Unexpectedly high diversity of parabasalids in captive snakes from China","authors":"Zhouchun Li , Yilei Zhang , Lijie Tian , Xinglong Song , Xinyuan Wang , Genhong Wang , Haofeng An , Olalekan Opeyemi Ayanniyi , Qianming Xu , Congshan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snakes are frequently kept as pets and are considered important reservoirs of pathogenic protists. Parabasalids, single-celled protists that parasitize a broad variety of hosts, are transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Some species pose zoonotic risks, endangering the health of both humans and animals. This study reports on the diversity and prevalence of parabasalids in six captive, non-native snake species from China. A total of 753 fecal samples were collected from non-native snakes across 26 provinces in China, including five open farms, 16 private breeders, and five pet shops. The nuclear ITS1‐5.8S-ITS2 region was PCR amplified to investigate the infection rates of parabasalids and assess their kinships through phylogenetic analysis. The overall prevalence of parabasalids in the snake fecal samples was 13.28 % (100/753). While infection rates did not differ significantly among the snake species, significant differences were observed among the breeding environments. Snakes raised on farms had significantly higher infection rates (31.62 %, 43/136) compared to those from pet shops (13.24 %, 18/136) and private breeders (8.11 %, 39/481). In addition to <em>Monocercomonas colubrorum</em>, commonly found in reptiles, five other parabasalids were identified in snake fecal samples: <em>Tritrichomonas musculus</em>, <em>Tritrichomonas muris</em>, <em>Trichomonas gallinae</em>, <em>Simplicimonas moskowitzi</em>, and <em>Trichomitus batrachorum.</em> To our best knowledge, this is the first time these parabasalids have been detected in captive snakes from China. Our study revealed a diverse community of parabasalids in the intestines of snakes, including species typically parasitic in other animal groups such as mammals, birds, and amphibians. However, further investigations are required to determine whether these parabasalids have pathogenic effects on snakes or if they could be transmitted to other animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144241045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126155
Wenbao Zhuang , Xiaochen Feng , Ran Li , Xiaozhong Hu
The order Metopida is a species-rich taxon within the obligate anaerobic ciliate class Armophorea. Metopids have garnered increasing interest due to their potential to shed light on mitochondrial evolution and symbiotic relationship between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, the majority of metopid species remain poorly or incompletely studied, largely due to limitations in earlier research methodologies. In this study, three species, Bothrostoma aporobustum nov. spec., Brachonella mitriformis and Planometopus contractus, were examined using a morpho-molecular approach. The new species is distinguished by a short proboscis-shaped snout, an average of 33 somatic kineties, and 21 adoral membranelles. Brachonella mitriformis is characterized by a broad obpyriform body with a narrow and flattened posterior end, an average of 53 somatic kineties and 77 adoral membranelles, and unevenly distributed dikinetids on the preoral dome. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the validity and monophyly of the genera Bothrostoma and Brachonella, and robustly resolved the phylogenetic position of Brachonella mitriformis. Representatives of geographically distant populations of Planometopus contractus are morphologically highly similar and cluster together with strong support in SSU rRNA gene phylogenies.
{"title":"Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of three anaerobic ciliates including Bothrostoma aporobustum nov. spec. (Ciliophora, Metopida)","authors":"Wenbao Zhuang , Xiaochen Feng , Ran Li , Xiaozhong Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The order Metopida is a species-rich taxon within the obligate anaerobic ciliate class Armophorea. Metopids have garnered increasing interest due to their potential to shed light on mitochondrial evolution and symbiotic relationship between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, the majority of metopid species remain poorly or incompletely studied, largely due to limitations in earlier research methodologies. In this study, three species, <em>Bothrostoma aporobustum</em> nov. spec., <em>Brachonella mitriformis</em> and <em>Planometopus contractus</em>, were examined using a morpho-molecular approach. The new species is distinguished by a short proboscis-shaped snout, an average of 33 somatic kineties, and 21 adoral membranelles. <em>Brachonella mitriformis</em> is characterized by a broad obpyriform body with a narrow and flattened posterior end, an average of 53 somatic kineties and 77 adoral membranelles, and unevenly distributed dikinetids on the preoral dome. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the validity and monophyly of the genera <em>Bothrostoma</em> and <em>Brachonella</em>, and robustly resolved the phylogenetic position of <em>Brachonella mitriformis</em>. Representatives of geographically distant populations of <em>Planometopus contractus</em> are morphologically highly similar and cluster together with strong support in SSU rRNA gene phylogenies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 126155"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144331472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126151
Dmytro Leontyev , Martin Schnittler
The myxomycete Lycogala fuscoviolaceum was described by P. Onsberg in 1972 based on a single specimen collected in Nepal. The status of this species remains ambiguous, as no additional findings have been reported since its description. In this study, we re-examined the holotype stored in Copenhagen to determine the true systematic position of L. fuscoviolaceum. Morphological observations revealed features inconsistent with Lycogala, including the dense, cartilaginous cortex, the pseudocapillitium forming vertical bundles, and the thick-walled spores with elongated pore. These characteristics suggest that L. fuscoviolaceum is either a member of the family Reticulariaceae, possibly related to Reticularia or Siphoptychium, or it is not a myxomycete at all. Cross-sections of the cortical structures of L. fuscoviolaceum revealed the presence of cell-like elements arranged in distinct layers. Such elements were absent in Reticularia splendens, Siphoptychium reticulatum, and S. violaceum, but present in L. flavofuscum. Attempts to obtain molecular data from the holotype of L. fuscoviolaceum, including high-throughput sequencing of short fragments, were unsuccessful due to DNA degradation. New findings are required to clarify the taxonomic position of the species.
{"title":"Not a Lycogala? Investigating the holotype of Lycogala fuscoviolaceum","authors":"Dmytro Leontyev , Martin Schnittler","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The myxomycete <em>Lycogala fuscoviolaceum</em> was described by P. Onsberg in 1972 based on a single specimen collected in Nepal. The status of this species remains ambiguous, as no additional findings have been reported since its description. In this study, we re-examined the holotype stored in Copenhagen to determine the true systematic position of <em>L. fuscoviolaceum</em>. Morphological observations revealed features inconsistent with <em>Lycogala</em>, including the dense, cartilaginous cortex, the pseudocapillitium forming vertical bundles, and the thick-walled spores with elongated pore. These characteristics suggest that <em>L. fuscoviolaceum</em> is either a member of the family Reticulariaceae, possibly related to <em>Reticularia</em> or <em>Siphoptychium</em>, or it is not a myxomycete at all. Cross-sections of the cortical structures of <em>L. fuscoviolaceum</em> revealed the presence of cell-like elements arranged in distinct layers. Such elements were absent in <em>Reticularia splendens</em>, <em>Siphoptychium reticulatum</em>, and <em>S. violaceum</em>, but present in <em>L. flavofuscum</em>. Attempts to obtain molecular data from the holotype of <em>L. fuscoviolaceum</em>, including high-throughput sequencing of short fragments, were unsuccessful due to DNA degradation. New findings are required to clarify the taxonomic position of the species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143936446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126150
Jovanny Arana-Garcia , Alexis Escarcega-Bata , David U. Hernández-Becerril , María Eugenia Zamudio-Resendiz
The athecate dinoflagellate genus Karlodinium (family Kareniaceae) has a relatively high diversity and is known for its potential ichthyotoxicity in coastal marine environments. In this study, we report the occurrence of four species of Karlodinium in the Mexican Pacific: K. azanzae, K. cf. elegans, K. decipiens, and K. zhouanum. Three species (K. azanzae, K. decipiens, and K. zhouanum) were isolated from Acapulco Bay in March 2023, and one species (K. cf. elegans) was detected in fixed samples collected from the western coasts of Baja California in September 2020. The cell morphology was studied mainly by light microscopy and only K. cf. elegans was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Relevant morphological characters of all studied species were consistent with previous descriptions, and their morphological identification was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences. The synonymy of K. jejuense and K. zhouanum was proposed based on a combination of morphological and molecular data.
{"title":"The athecate dinoflagellate genus Karlodinium (Kareniaceae: Dinophyceae) from Mexican coastal waters, with three new records for the eastern Pacific Ocean","authors":"Jovanny Arana-Garcia , Alexis Escarcega-Bata , David U. Hernández-Becerril , María Eugenia Zamudio-Resendiz","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The athecate dinoflagellate genus <em>Karlodinium</em> (family Kareniaceae) has a relatively high diversity and is known for its potential ichthyotoxicity in coastal marine environments. In this study, we report the occurrence of four species of <em>Karlodinium</em> in the Mexican Pacific: <em>K. azanzae</em>, <em>K.</em> cf. <em>elegans</em>, <em>K. decipiens</em>, and <em>K. zhouanum</em>. Three species (<em>K. azanzae</em>, <em>K. decipiens</em>, and <em>K. zhouanum</em>) were isolated from Acapulco Bay in March 2023, and one species (<em>K.</em> cf. <em>elegans</em>) was detected in fixed samples collected from the western coasts of Baja California in September 2020. The cell morphology was studied mainly by light microscopy and only <em>K.</em> cf. <em>elegans</em> was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Relevant morphological characters of all studied species were consistent with previous descriptions, and their morphological identification was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences. The synonymy of <em>K</em>. <em>jejuense</em> and <em>K</em>. <em>zhouanum</em> was proposed based on a combination of morphological and molecular data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126149
Jaroslav Kubín , Josef Juráň
This study brings the first information about the autecological traits of heterotrophic euglenoids at eighteen localities in South Bohemia (Czech Republic). A number of environmental and landscape parameters including water chemistry and diversity of algae as well as of heterotrophic protists were analyzed over two years in order to assess the effect of environmental parameters on heterotrophic euglenoids. The major diversity of osmotrophs was found in acidic wetlands (i.e., peat bogs), while the majority of phagotrophs were detected in polytrophic sites. This was also illustrated by the correlation of heterotrophic euglenoids with other groups of organisms and other biotic parameters related to the trophic level at the sampling sites. Apparently, habitats with well-developed macrovegetation harboured the highest alpha diversity of heterotrophic euglenoids. Noteworthy, most taxa were found during summer and fall. Additional ecological data on rarely reported taxa observed during this survey (Astasia lagenula var. maxima, Calycimonas quinquecarinata, Euglenopsis vacuolata, Heteronema proteus, Heteronema tremulum, Parmidium circulare) were provided as well.
{"title":"First contours of autecology of freshwater heterotrophic euglenoids – results of two-year research on 18 freshwater bodies","authors":"Jaroslav Kubín , Josef Juráň","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study brings the first information about the autecological traits of heterotrophic euglenoids at eighteen localities in South Bohemia (Czech Republic). A number of environmental and landscape parameters including water chemistry and diversity of algae as well as of heterotrophic protists were analyzed over two years in order to assess the effect of environmental parameters on heterotrophic euglenoids. The major diversity of osmotrophs was found in acidic wetlands (i.e., peat bogs), while the majority of phagotrophs were detected in polytrophic sites. This was also illustrated by the correlation of heterotrophic euglenoids with other groups of organisms and other biotic parameters related to the trophic level at the sampling sites. Apparently, habitats with well-developed macrovegetation harboured the highest alpha diversity of heterotrophic euglenoids. Noteworthy, most taxa were found during summer and fall. Additional ecological data on rarely reported taxa observed during this survey (<em>Astasia lagenula</em> var. <em>maxima</em>, <em>Calycimonas quinquecarinata</em>, <em>Euglenopsis vacuolata</em>, <em>Heteronema proteus</em>, <em>Heteronema tremulum</em>, <em>Parmidium circulare</em>) were provided as well.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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