Morphology, morphogenesis, and molecular characterization of Castula specialis sp. nov. (Ciliophora, Armophorea, Metopida)

The morphology, morphogenesis, and molecular phylogeny of a new metopid ciliate, Castula specialis sp. nov., comprising three strains from geographically distant (China, Mexico, Czech Republic) anoxic freshwater habitats, were studied based on microscopic observation of live and protargol-stained specimens as well as SSU rRNA gene sequence data. The new species is characterized as follows: size in vivo 105–220 × 25–70 μm, body oblong to elongated ellipsoidal and asymmetrical; preoral dome distinctly projecting beyond the body; 32–46 adoral membranelles; 31–52 somatic kineties; and 4–7 setae. This study brings the first morphogenetic investigation of a member of the genus Castula. The morphogenesis of the type population (China) of the new species proceeds as in Metopus spp. comprising drastic changes in body shape and a pleurotelokinetal stomatogenesis; however, the main difference is the origin of the opisthe's paroral membrane that derives from all perizonal rows and some adjacent dome kineties. Phylogenetically, the genus Castula is paraphyletic.