Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-28DOI: 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 : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-03-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126147
Callum R.C. Evans , David A. Hatton , Graeme T. Swindles
The global nitrogen cycle has been majorly disrupted by anthropogenic activity. While nitrogen emissions in the UK and Ireland are declining, ammonia (NH3) remains a significant exception. NH3 emissions are mostly agriculturally sourced and deposited on nearby habitats at high rates in both countries. Peatlands are globally important wetlands that are vulnerable to NH3 deposition. Essential peatland restoration risks being diminished by excessive NH3 deposition, leading to the loss of valuable ecosystem services. This study investigates testate amoebae (indicators of contemporary and historic peatland conditions) as bioindicators of seasonal NH3 deposition on six peatlands across Northern Ireland, UK. Sphagnum, an NH3-sensitive bryophyte, was sampled adjacent to NH3 monitoring sites once per season for a year. When NH3 deposition was critically high, multivariate analysis demonstrates a link between NH3 and testate amoebae assemblage change. Similarly, at high NH3 deposition sites, testate amoebae taxa diversity is observed to be significantly reduced in springtime, when it is expected to be highest. Although, in response to high NH3 deposition large algivorous taxa do not proliferate as was anticipated, and mixotrophic taxa abundance decreases could not be linked primarily to NH3. This research demonstrates the continued potential of testate amoebae as highly informative peatland bioindicators.
{"title":"Testate amoebae are informative bioindicators of critically high ammonia deposition on peatlands","authors":"Callum R.C. Evans , David A. Hatton , Graeme T. Swindles","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global nitrogen cycle has been majorly disrupted by anthropogenic activity. While nitrogen emissions in the UK and Ireland are declining, ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) remains a significant exception. NH<sub>3</sub> emissions are mostly agriculturally sourced and deposited on nearby habitats at high rates in both countries. Peatlands are globally important wetlands that are vulnerable to NH<sub>3</sub> deposition. Essential peatland restoration risks being diminished by excessive NH<sub>3</sub> deposition, leading to the loss of valuable ecosystem services. This study investigates testate amoebae (indicators of contemporary and historic peatland conditions) as bioindicators of seasonal NH<sub>3</sub> deposition on six peatlands across Northern Ireland, UK. <em>Sphagnum</em>, an NH<sub>3</sub>-sensitive bryophyte, was sampled adjacent to NH<sub>3</sub> monitoring sites once per season for a year. When NH<sub>3</sub> deposition was critically high, multivariate analysis demonstrates a link between NH<sub>3</sub> and testate amoebae assemblage change. Similarly, at high NH<sub>3</sub> deposition sites, testate amoebae taxa diversity is observed to be significantly reduced in springtime, when it is expected to be highest. Although, in response to high NH<sub>3</sub> deposition large algivorous taxa do not proliferate as was anticipated, and mixotrophic taxa abundance decreases could not be linked primarily to NH<sub>3</sub>. This research demonstrates the continued potential of testate amoebae as highly informative peatland bioindicators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126147"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830306","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 : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-06-06DOI: 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 : 2025-06-01Epub 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":"2025-06-01","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 : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-11DOI: 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 : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-03-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126148
Marcel Dominik Solbach , Ferry Siemensma , Maria Holzmann
In this study, we describe a novel monothalamous Foraminifera, discovered in shoreline sediment samples from the Southern Ocean. The individuals, approximately 75 μm in diameter, are relatively small for Foraminifera, mostly spherical, with an organic-walled test. Notably, these Foraminifera exhibit a unique behavior in culture: they surround themselves in planktonic diatoms, enabling them to float in the water column. This floating behavior is unusual for Foraminifera, which are often larger and possess a thick test made of calcite or agglutinated particles. We hypothesize that the small size of the organism, its lightweight organic test, and the habit of surrounding itself with centric diatoms may enable the floating behavior observed in culture and potentially aid dispersal in nature. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA barcoding fragment places this undescribed organism as an independent lineage among monothalamid Foraminifera. We erect the novel genus Pensilisphaera with its type species Pensilisphaera antarcticaensis.
{"title":"A remarkable new monothalamid (Rhizaria, Foraminifera) from the shoreline of Livingston Island, Antarctica","authors":"Marcel Dominik Solbach , Ferry Siemensma , Maria Holzmann","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, we describe a novel monothalamous Foraminifera, discovered in shoreline sediment samples from the Southern Ocean. The individuals, approximately 75 μm in diameter, are relatively small for Foraminifera, mostly spherical, with an organic-walled test. Notably, these Foraminifera exhibit a unique behavior in culture: they surround themselves in planktonic diatoms, enabling them to float in the water column. This floating behavior is unusual for Foraminifera, which are often larger and possess a thick test made of calcite or agglutinated particles. We hypothesize that the small size of the organism, its lightweight organic test, and the habit of surrounding itself with centric diatoms may enable the floating behavior observed in culture and potentially aid dispersal in nature. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA barcoding fragment places this undescribed organism as an independent lineage among monothalamid Foraminifera. We erect the novel genus <em>Pensilisphaera</em> with its type species <em>Pensilisphaera antarcticaensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143767942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-10DOI: 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 : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126142
Nanda Dwi Kristanti, Quoc Dung Nguyen, Mann Kyoon Shin
Recently, the interest in studying anaerobic ciliates, particularly armophorean ciliates of the family Metopidae, has increased. The genus Brachonella, a member of this family, currently comprises eight species. However, only four of them have been comprehensively described, with B. contorta, the type species of Brachonella, being the subject of extensive global distribution analyses. This study presents a comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of B. tenuicauda nov. spec., B. elongata, and B. pulchra. Brachonella tenuicauda is characterized by a tail-like posterior body end and by clusters of two to four dikinetids in the preoral dome kineties. Brachonella elongata is identified by its slender, elongated body without posterior constriction, whereas B. pulchra shows a broadly ellipsoidal to nearly obovoid body. Korean populations of B. pulchra and B. tenuicauda exhibit a diplostichomonad paroral membrane, a feature not previously documented for this genus. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences indicates non-monophyly of the family Metopidae. Conversely, the genus Brachonella is depicted as monophyletic with full support, confirming its molecular distinctness from other metopid genera.
{"title":"Exploring the diversity of Brachonella: Morphological and molecular analysis with the discovery of a new species, Brachonella tenuicauda nov. spec. (Ciliophora, Armophorea, Metopida)","authors":"Nanda Dwi Kristanti, Quoc Dung Nguyen, Mann Kyoon Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recently, the interest in studying anaerobic ciliates, particularly armophorean ciliates of the family Metopidae, has increased. The genus <em>Brachonella</em>, a member of this family, currently comprises eight species. However, only four of them have been comprehensively described, with <em>B. contorta</em>, the type species of <em>Brachonella</em>, being the subject of extensive global distribution analyses. This study presents a comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of <em>B. tenuicauda</em> nov. spec., <em>B. elongata</em>, and <em>B. pulchra. Brachonella tenuicauda</em> is characterized by a tail-like posterior body end and by clusters of two to four dikinetids in the preoral dome kineties. <em>Brachonella elongata</em> is identified by its slender, elongated body without posterior constriction, whereas <em>B. pulchra</em> shows a broadly ellipsoidal to nearly obovoid body. Korean populations of <em>B. pulchra</em> and <em>B. tenuicauda</em> exhibit a diplostichomonad paroral membrane, a feature not previously documented for this genus. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences indicates non-monophyly of the family Metopidae. Conversely, the genus <em>Brachonella</em> is depicted as monophyletic with full support, confirming its molecular distinctness from other metopid genera.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12042,"journal":{"name":"European journal of protistology","volume":"99 ","pages":"Article 126142"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792080","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 : 2025-06-01Epub 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":"2025-06-01","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}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub 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":"2025-06-01","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号